Add another name – Kevin Millwood’s – to the list of candidates hoping to fill out the Seattle rotation.
MLB.com reported Monday that Millwood’s sister announced the deal on her Facebook page. CBSSports.com later confirmed it, saying Millwood signed a minor league deal with the Mariners with an invitation to spring training.
Millwood, who turned 37 last month, made nine starts with the Colorado Rockies last season, going 4-3 with a 3.98 ERA. He threw 54 innings in the majors – his lowest total since his rookie season in 1997 – after spending most of the season in the minor leagues.
In his career, the right-hander is 163-140 with a 4.10 ERA with six teams (Atlanta, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Texas, Baltimore and Colorado).
ASTROS THINK AHEAD
New Houston Astros owner Jim Crane is considering changing the name of the franchise as well as its uniforms.
Crane said the team will conduct a marketing study.
“We’re going to study the information both from the fans and from all sorts of marketing people,” Crane said. “I’m not saying we’re going to change. We haven’t made the decision yet whether we’re going to change.”
The team was established in 1962 as the Colt .45s and has been called the Astros since 1965 when it was changed to coincide with the move to the Astrodome.
Any changes would come in 2013 when Houston moves from the National League Central to the American League West.
VIZQUEL GETS JOB
Omar Vizquel and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a one-year contract.
Vizquel’s agent, Adam Katz, declined to provide further details, such as whether Vizquel would be on a major league or minor league deal.
The veteran infielder who started his career with the Seattle Mariners (1989-93) turns 45 on April 24. This would be his 24th major league season. He has 11 Gold Gloves at shortstop.
SHORT HOPS
New York catcher Jorge Posada, 40, will announce his retirement today at Yankee Stadium after a 17-year major league career, all with the Yankees. … White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf said manager Ozzie Guillen had his blessing to leave the team two days before last season ended so he could start his new job managing the Miami Marlins. … New Brewers outfielder Norichika Aoki will make at least $2.25 million over two years under his contract and could earn up to $8,187,500 if Milwaukee exercises his 2014 option. … Details of former Mariners utility player Michael Morse’s new contract reveal the Washington Nationals paid him a $500,000 bonus to sign his $10.5 million, two-year deal. … Some bidders for the bankrupt Los Angeles Dodgers have started talking about combining efforts. … The Padres switched their vote, giving commissioner Bud Selig a two-year contract extension by a 30-0 vote. … San Diego and left-hander Clayton Richard agreed to a one-year $2.7 million deal. … Two pitchers, left-hander Mitch Stetter and right-hander Sean Green, a former Seattle Mariner, agreed to minor league deals with Texas. … Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton said he is on schedule to be ready for spring training after sports hernia surgery. The 2010 American League MVP had surgery in November. He played hurt throughout the postseason with a torn abdominal muscle and torn adductor muscles in his left leg.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.