Texas just got a little bit bigger.
The Rangers agreed to a minor league deal with former Mets right-hander Bartolo Colon on Sunday, including an invitation to spring training with an opportunity to make the big league roster.
Colon, 44, will make a base salary of $1.75 million if he earns a spot in the majors, according to the Dallas Morning News.
“Bartolo brings a track record of durability and success in the Major Leagues,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said in a statement. “He pounds the strike zone and provides quality competition for our rotation. Welcome to Texas, Big Sexy!”
Colon is entering his 22nd season after posting the worst numbers of his career in 2017, going 7-14 between the Twins and Braves. The 5-foot-11, 285-pound pitcher posted an 8.14 ERA in 13 games with the Braves before finishing the season in Minnesota, where he didn’t look much better (6.48 ERA in 15 starts).
Colon, who made his MLB debut with the Indians in 1997, consistently surprised during his three-year Mets tenure. In 2016, he went 15-8 with a 3.43 ERA and 128 strikeouts.