Reliever Tateyama returns to Rangers, signs minor league deal

Arlington, TX – The Texas Rangers have signed pitcher Yoshinori Tateyama to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Tateyama made 53 relief appearances with the Rangers over the past two seasons after pitching the previous 11 years in the Japan's Pacific League.

The righthander, who turns 37 on Wednesday, has gone 3-0 with a 5.75 earned run average in the majors.

Tateyama spent the majority of the 2012 campaign at Triple-A Round Rock. In 32 outings, he was 4-0 with six saves and a 1.13 ERA.