Rangers ink Colon to minor-league contract

Big Bart isn't riding off into the sunset just yet.

The Texas Rangers have signed 44-year-old right-hander Bartolo Colon to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant.

"Bartolo brings a track record of durability and success in the Major Leagues," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "He pounds the strike zone and provides quality competition for our rotation. Welcome to Texas, Big Sexy!"

Rumblings that the Rangers were discussing a minor-league deal with Colon surfaced Saturday. If Colon makes the big-league roster, he will reportedly earn a base salary of $1.75 million.

Colon, who turns 45 in May, made his MLB debut in 1997 with the Cleveland Indians. He spent the first five-plus seasons of his career there before being dealt to the Montreal Expos.

All told, the Rangers will serve as Colon's 11th MLB team. The four-time All-Star won the American League Cy Young Award in 2005 as a member of the Los Angeles Angels when he posted a career-best 21 wins, with a 3.48 ERA and 1.16 WHIP across 33 starts.