Phillies Sign Joel Pineiro To Minor-League Contract

Joel Pineiro has a new gig -- the journeyman hurler has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Phildelphia Phillies. The deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark.

The 33-year-old right-hander spent the last two seasons with the Angels. He had statistically one of the worst seasons of his career in 2011, going 7-7 with a 5.13 ERA. He spent much of the season on the disabled list due to shoulder tightness.

Pineiro is unlikely to crack the Phillies' five-man rotation -- he'll be hard-pressed to beat out the Phils' powerhouse lineup of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and Vance Worley. If he makes the team, Pineiro will likely be relegated to spot starts and mop-up work out of the bullpen.