Indians sign J.C. Romero to minor league deal

The Cleveland Indians announced that they have signed left-hander J.C. Romero to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple-A Columbus. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reported that sides were closing in on a deal on Monday.

Romero, 37, hit the open market after opting out of his minor league deal with the Washington Nationals, according to Rosenthal. After signing with Washington in late March, the veteran appeared in thirteen games for Triple-A Syracuse (0-1, 2.84 ERA in 12.2 innings pitched) before shoulder stiffness led to a disabled list stint. According to a source, Romero was rehabbing in Florida and was not with Syracuse as of last weekend, and has not appeared in game action since May 8th.

Today's signing is the beginning of Romero's second stint in as many years with the Indians organization, as he pitched in eight games for Columbus in 2012. The journeyman has appeared in seven organizations over the past three seasons, seeing major league action with the Phillies, Rockies, Cardinals, and Orioles and minor league time with the Yankees, Nationals, and Indians.

In fourteen major league seasons with the Twins (1999-2005), Angels (2006), Red Sox (2007), Phillies (2007-2011), Rockies (2011), Cardinals (2012), and Orioles (2012), Romero is 34-28 with a 4.16 ERA and 7.2 K/9 ratio. He heads to Cleveland in hopes of gaining a spot on the major league roster after continuing his rehab with Columbus.