The Texas Rangers signed free-agent left-hander Joe Saunders to a guaranteed major-league contract on Wednesday worth a minimum of $500,000.
If Saunders makes the opening-day roster, the salary escalates to $1.5 million The contract includes additional performance bonuses.
To clear room for Saunders on the 40-man roster, the Rangers designated utilityman Alex Castellanos for assignment. In five spring training games, Castellanos had three hits in nine at-bats.
The 32-year-old Saunders worked out last week for the Rangers, who are in need of pitching depth with Derek Holland and Matt Harrison battling injuries. Saunders could compete for one of the final spots in the Texas rotation.
In 32 starts last year for the Seattle Mariners, Saunders posted an 11-16 record with a 5.26 ERA in 183 innings. Opponents batted .311 against Saunders, who signed a $6.5 million contrct with Seattle before the 2013 season.
A 2008 All-Star, Saunders has an 89-81 career record and a 4.31 ERA with the Angels, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles and Mariners.