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The Giants have agreed to a minor-league deal with veteran left-hander Derek Holland, a major-league source confirmed Friday. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News first reported the deal.
Holland, 31, will compete for a spot on the Giants’ major-league roster this spring, looking to add depth behind Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, Ty Blach and Chris Stratton in the team’s rotation mix. He’ll join ex-Giant Chris Heston, another minor-league signee this winter.
Holland struggled to a 6.20 ERA and 6.45 FIP in 135 innings for the White Sox last year, his first season outside of Texas. He was released in early September and drew interest from a few teams looking for a veteran arm.
Holland was an effective starter for the Rangers from 2009 to 2016, owning a 4.35 ERA in 985 innings for Texas. He dealt with injuries in 2014 and 2015 and has not been able to fully bounce back in the majors to this point.
Holland joins Heston, Josh Rutledge, Gregor Blanco, Andres Blanco, Alen Hanson and Hector Sanchez as notable minor-league signings for the Giants, who, of course, have added Evan Longoria, Andrew McCutchen and Austin Jackson to the major-league team this offseason.