New York Mets sign Scott Atchison

The New York Mets have signed right-handed reliever Scott Atchison to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to major league spring training, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.

Mets sign RHP Scott Atchison to minor league contract with spring-training invite.

— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) January 29, 2013

Atchison spent the 2012 season with the Boston Red Sox. The 37-year-old pitched extremely well last year, as he maintained an ERA of 1.58 with 6.3 strikeouts and 1.6 walks per nine innings over 42 appearances.

Still, he was non-tendered by the Red Sox in November, making him a free agent.

Prior to parting ways with Boston, Atchison had spent the past three seasons with the club. From 2010-12 the veteran posted a 3.18 ERA. Over six seasons at the major league level he owns a career ERA of 3.48 with 7.0 strikeouts and 2.5 walks per nine innings.

The Mets have been tied to relievers for much of the offseason. Atchison joins a bullpen that already includes pitchers such as Frank Francisco, Bobby Parnell, Pedro Feliciano, Greg Burke and Josh Edgin.