The Texas Rangers expect to sign veteran free-agent left-hander Bruce Hurst, perhaps as early as today, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
The Rangers have offered Hurst, a native of St. George, Utah, a minor-league contract that is believed to be worth close to $500,000 in base pay if he makes the team. Incentives based on starts and innings pitched could make the deal worth nearly as much as the $3 million Hurst earned last year, the newspaper reported.Hurst, who rejected salary arbitration from the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, is expected to get in touch with the Rangers with an answer.
Hurst's ERA has been under 3.50 in three of the past five seasons.
But Hurst, who is 143-112 with a 3.87 ERA in 14 major-league seasons, wasn't healthy last season. He had rotator cuff surgery after a 14-9, 3.85-ERA season for San Diego in 1992 and made just two early-season starts for the Padres before going on the disabled list.