PITTSBURGH — Left-hander C.J. Nitkowski, who has pitched for eight teams in the majors since 1995, has reached terms on a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Nitkowski, a first-round draft pick by Cincinnati in 1994, has a split contract that will pay him $500,000 in the majors and $72,000 in the minors.

Nitkowski, 30, was 0-0 with an 8.10 ERA in seven games with the Washington Nationals last season after going to spring training with the Twins. He split the 1994 season between the Yankees and Braves, and has pitched for the Reds, Tigers, Astros, Mets and Rangers.

He has an 18-32 record and 5.37 ERA in 336 career games.

Neil Walker, a catcher who was the Pittsburgh Pirates' first-round draft pick in 2004, will miss the team's voluntary minicamp for pitchers and catchers Jan. 10-15 after undergoing wrist surgery.Walker, 20, tore a ligament in his left wrist while playing in the Arizona Fall League on Nov. 9. The injury is not considered serious, but should sideline him from offseason activities for six to eight weeks.Walker is rated as the Pirates' top prospect by Baseball America. He hit a combined .297 with 12 homers and 80s RBIs for Class A Hickory and Lynchburg last season.Walker, the son of former major leaguer Tom Walker, also batted .265 with two homers and five RBIs in 17 Arizona Fall League games while playing against mostly older prospects. Walker, the No. 11 overall pick in 2004, is expected to begin next season at Lynchburg or Class AA Altoona.