The Seattle Mariners added a pair of veteran relievers to their roster Monday, signing left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo and right-hander Shawn Camp – and designated outfielder Mike Wilson and catcher Chris Gimenez for assignment.
Kuo, 30, was a 2010 All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a strikeout specialist with 314 lifetime strikeouts in 292 innings. He has appeared in 218 big-league games (13-17, 13 saves, 3.73 ERA). He signed a big-league contract for $500,000.
Camp, 36, spent last season with the Toronto Blue Jays. A ground ball specialist, he has appeared in 438 games with Toronto, Kansas City and Tampa Bay. Camp (25-26, 10 saves, 4.40 ERA lifetime) signed a big-league contract for $750,000.
The signings bring depth and experience to camp. They could be a sign the team wants options other than youngsters such as Tom Wilhelmsen, Steve Delabar and Chance Ruffin.
Wilson, 28, played 847 games in the Seattle minor league system, the past three seasons in Tacoma. He played in eight big-league games in 2011, getting 27 at-bats. He batted .148.
Gimenez, 29, batted .209 with the Mariners as a reserve catcher last season, and likely lost his spot on the depth chart when the team acquired the left-handed hitting John Jaso this winter.
Kuo and Camp will report with Seattle pitchers and cachers to Peoria, Ariz., for physicals Saturday. The team has 10 days to trade, release or outright the contracts of Wilson and Gimenez to the minors – the latter a move that each would have to be accepted. Declining would make either of them a free agent.
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