Rangers, Griffin agree to minor-league deal

A.J. Griffin will attempt to revive his career in Texas after agreeing Monday to a minor-league deal with the Rangers following a two-year absence from the majors amid setbacks in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Griffin, who turns 28 next month, will receive an invitation to MLB spring training and could compete for the final spot in a rotation that no longer features Yovani Gallardo and will likely be without Yu Darvish until May.

Selected by the Athletics in the 13th round of the 2010 draft, Griffin enjoyed an auspicious start his MLB career, but opened the 2014 campaign on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow. Shortly after, the California native underwent Tommy John surgery, and though he was expected to return in 2015, Griffin was limited to just four minor-league outings last season amid persistent discomfort in his elbow.

Since making his debut with the Athletics in 2013, Griffin owns a 3.60 ERA (108 ERA+) with a 1.13 WHIP over 47 starts in the majors, posting a 3.22 strikeout-to-walk ratio while allowing 46 home runs in 282 1/3 innings (1.47 per nine).