Red Sox sign Alexi Ogando to 1-year major league contract

Boston has been seeking pitching depth since the end of the Winter Meetings, and added another arm on Friday afternoon. According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox signed Alexi Ogando to a one-year major league contract that is pending a physical.

Rosenthal also notes that the deal is worth close to $1.5 million, with Bob Nightengale reporting Ogando can earn up to another $1.5 million in incentives.

Ogando, 31, posted a 6.84 ERA and 3.81 FIP in 25.0 innings pitched with the Rangers last season. He is a versatile option who can serve as a starter or reliever, and owns a career 3.35 ERA in 183 games, 48 of which he started. Texas used Ogando exclusively as a reliever in 2014, but after appearing in 27 games, he was shut down in June as a result of elbow inflammation. Although the injury ended his season, Ogando's elbow discomfort did not require Tommy John surgery, and he is expected to be healthy heading into spring training.

Texas non-tendered Ogando in December after not wanting to pay him $2.6 million in 2015 with the uncertainty that surrounded his injury. While a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm kept him out for the second half of last season, Ogando also suffered from nerve damage and inflammation in his shoulder and a biceps injury in 2013.

Ogando made the American League All-Star team and was a key member of the Rangers' bullpen throughout the postseason in 2011.

Boston acquired Robbie Ross Jr., who was Ogando's teammate in Texas, earlier this week. The Red Sox's bullpen is expected to consist of Koji Uehara, Junichi Tazawa, Edward Mujica, Craig Breslow, and Anthony Varvaro. The club is confident in its offseason moves, and may still be open to dealing Mujica.

The Red Sox also have Zeke Spruill, Drake Britton, Brandon Workman, and Tommy Layne as possible alternatives if a Mujica deal gets done or a relief option gets injured this spring. Boston has yet to announce whose spot on the 40-man roster Ogando will take.