Rangers sign Jesse Chavez

The Rangers have signed veteran right-hander Jesse Chavez, reports FanRag's Jon Heyman. According to Heyman, Chavez will make $1.5 million in base salary in 2018 if he makes the Major League roster, with incentives that can take his contract to $2.5 million as a starting pitcher or $2 million as a reliever:

Chavez, 34, compiled 138 innings in a swingman role for the Angels last season, after pitching exclusively as a reliever for The Dodgers and Blue Jays a year prior. In his lone season for the Halos, Chavez struggled to a 5.35 ERA and uninspiring 2.64 K/BB ratio in 38 appearances (21 starts). The right-hander enjoyed more success in 2016; Chavez produced a respectable 4.43 ERA and 3.50 K/BB ration in 67 innings between stints in Los Angeles and Toronto. Chavez, who turns 35 in August, will have to fend off Father Time as he attempts to re-establish himself in Texas' big league bullpen.

Chavez will head to Rangers camp this spring for the first time since 2003, a year after he was drafted by Texas in the 42nd round of the MLB Draft. Back with his former club, Chavez will be competing with right-handers Tony Barnette, Ricardo Rodriguez, Erik Goedell, and Kevin Jepson for the final spots in the Rangers bullpen.

Chavez is the fourth notable MLB pitcher to sign a minor-league deal with the Rangers this winter, joining veterans Bartolo Colon, Jon Niese, and Edinson Volquez.