The Philadelphia Phillies signed veteran right-hander Rodrigo Lopez to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. Lopez , 37 spent most of last season in AAA Iowa and posted a 5.28 ERA over 73 1/3 innings. He did make four appearances for the Chicago Cubs last season. The deal is reportedly worth $1 million plus incentives if he is added to the major league roster. The deal was first reported by Mexican baseball magazine Puro Beisbol.
In 257 career games between the San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs, Lopez is 81-89 with a 4.82 ERA and 865 strikeouts in 1,350 2/3 innings. Lopez will provide organizational depth and will likely begin his season for AAA Lehigh Valley, the Phillies minor-league club. The Philles relievers heading into spring training feature Jonathan Papelbon (CL), Antonio Bastardo, Phillippe Aumont, Jeremy Horst, Justin De Fratus, Raul Valdes, Michael Stutes, B.J. Rosenberg, Mike Adams and Jake Diekman.
