The Rangers have agreed to terms with free-agent reliever Derrick Turnbow on a one-year, minor league contract.
If Turnbow, who turns 31 later this month, makes the major league club, he would earn $925,000. He could make more than $325,000 in incentives based on appearances. Turnbow was limited to eight games in 2008 because of shoulder problems.
The deal gives Turnbow, who did not have surgery, a chance to show he's healthy.
Turnbow's best season was 2005, when he was 7-1 with a 1.74 ERA and had 39 saves in 43 chances for the Brewers. From 2006 to 2008, Turnbow was 8-15 with a 6.13 ERA and 26 saves in 1302/3 innings.
"He's working out and long tossing now," said Damon Lapa, Turnbow's agent, who added that Turnbow's history with Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux played a big part in his decision to come to Texas.
Maddux coached Turnbow in Milwaukee.
"We anticipate him entering spring training without any physical restrictions," Lapa said.
Turnbow is arbitration eligible at the end of 2009, giving the Rangers the option of keeping him for 2010 if he shows he can still pitch effectively.
Two more pitchers signed: The Rangers have also signed Casey Daigle and Elizardo Ramirez to minor-league deals and invited both to spring training.
Daigle, 27, was 1-5 with a 3.78 ERA in 69 innings as a reliever for Minnesota's Triple-A team and has made 20 total appearances (10 starts) in the majors for Arizona in 2004 and 2006.
Ramirez, 25, spent nearly all of last season with Triple-A Oklahoma. He was 10-7 with a 4.50 ERA in 160 innings and started 23 of the 27 games he appeared in. He appeared in one game for the Rangers in 2008 (June 4 vs. Cleveland).
