Jan. 2--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 and contribute to the Rangers' bullpen.
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 130 2/3 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.
"He thinks he'll begin mound sessions the middle to late part of January, and 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. Lapa said Turnbow wants a chance to earn a role in the seventh, eighth or ninth innings. Texas goes into spring training with Frank Francisco as the top candidate for the closer's job.
The Rangers have a history of signing players coming off injuries to short-term deals. And they have had a few success stories in the bullpen.
Eric Gagne pitched well in 2007 and was dealt to Boston at the trade deadline for outfielders David Murphy, Engel Beltre and left-handed pitcher Kason Gabbard. Eddie Guardado was a key member of the bullpen last season before he was moved in an August trade to Minnesota for minor league pitcher Mark Hamburger.
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. He is married to Jennie Finch, a star of the U.S. softball team the last few Olympics.
Ramirez, who turns 26 later this month, 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. Ramirez had a team-high 85 strikeouts. He appeared in one game for the Rangers in 2008 (June 4 vs. Cleveland).
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