SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) - Right-hander Kris Benson, the first pick in the 1996 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, signed a minor league contract Saturday with the Texas Rangers.
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reported the makings of a deal on Friday.Benson reported to camp as a non-roster invitee. The Rangers, who are looking to add depth to their rotation, worked out Benson earlier in the week.
Benson, 34, last pitched in the majors in 2006, going 11-12 with a 4.82 ERA for Baltimore. He has a career record of 68-73 with a 4.34 ERA with the Pirates, Orioles and Baltimore Mets.
He missed the 2007 season after having surgery to repair a torn right rotator cuff. He was 14 with a 5.52 ERA in 11 starts for Lehigh Valley, the Philadelphia Phillies' Class AAA affiliate, last year. The Phillies released him on Aug. 30.
With the addition of Benson, the Rangers have 32 pitchers in camp.
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