Tampa Bay Rays sign Kyle Farnsworth

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed free agent Kyle Farnsworth to a one-year, major league contract, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.

Crasnick adds that Farnsworth could earn up to $3 million through his new contract with the Rays between base salary and bonuses.

Farnsworth spent the past two seasons with the Rays after signing with the club in January of 2011. Last year the big right-hander maintained an ERA of 4.00 over 34 appearances spanning 27 innings. Farnsworth was the team's closer for part of the 2011 season when posted a 2.18 ERA with 8.0 strikeouts and 1.9 walks per nine innings while registering 25 saves.

Over 14 seasons at the major league level, Farnsworth owns a career ERA of 4.24 with 9.0 strikeouts and 3.8 walks per nine innings.

Farnsworth joins a Rays' bullpen that already includes closer Fernando Rodney and late-inning arms Joel Peralta and Jake McGee.