Rangers sign Kyle Lohse to minor-league deal

The Rangers have agreed to a minor-league deal with right-hander Kyle Lohse, as first reported by MLB Network's Jon Heyman. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Lohse will earn a base salary of $2 million, with another $1.5 million available in incentives.

Heyman adds that Lohse has a June 1 opt-out in the deal, meaning that it is likely he is added to the major-league roster. If he is not within the next 2+ weeks, he will likely re-enter free agency.

Texas has been linked to Lohse for weeks, along with teams like the Angels, Tigers and Reds. He was one of two significant starting pitching options for teams still looking on the free-agent market, alongside former Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum.

Lohse, 37, will provide back-end rotation and long relief depth for the Rangers, who are expecting Yu Darvish to return soon and fill out a rotation that also includes Cole Hamels, Martin Perez, Colby Lewis and Derek Holland. Texas was running low on rotation depth after the injury to A.J. Griffin (shoulder stiffness) and the trade of Anthony Ranaudo to the White Sox, so the addition of Lohse makes sense.

Lohse spent last year with Milwaukee, struggling to a 5-13 record and 5.85 ERA in 37 appearances (22 starts). He is a veteran of 15 major-league seasons with the Twins (2001-06), Reds (2006-07), Phillies (2007), Cardinals (2008-12) and Brewers (2013-15), owing a career 147-141 record and 4.37 ERA.