Yankees sign Scott Baker to minor-league deal

The Yankees have signed right-hander Scott Baker to a minor-league deal, as first reported by Matt Eddy of Baseball America. The deal will include an invitation to major-league spring training, so Baker will have the chance to compete for a spot on the team's major-league roster. As reported by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, Baker will earn $1.5 million if he makes the major-league team.

Baker, 33, drew interest from multiple clubs this winter and was said to be holding out for a major-league contract before agreeing to join the Yankees without a guaranteed roster spot. The current Yankees' rotation is filled with question marks about the health of starters Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda and Masahiro Tanaka, so the team has tried to stockpile some arms this winter with the signings of Baker and Capuano as well as their trade for Nathan Eovaldi.

Baker spent last season with the Rangers' organization, posting a 5.47 ERA in 25 appearances (eight starts) in the majors. He is the owner of a lifetime 66-52 record and 4.25 ERA in nine major-league seasons with the Twins (2005-2011), Cubs (2013) and Rangers (2014), but missed almost two full years due to injury and has been unable to regain the form that led him to being a reliable starter for Minnesota.