Phils Sign P Rodrigo Lopez

Saturday brings news that the Phillies have signed pitcher Rodrigo Lopez, briefly a member of the 2009 NL champions, to a minor-league contract.

Now 37, Lopez hasn't held down a regular rotation spot in the majors since 2010, when he made 33 starts and led the NL with 16 losses for the Diamondbacks, tying for the league high with 37 home runs allowed. Phillies fans--well, this one at least--might remember him somewhat more fondly, for the four straight solid starts he made for the Phils in July 2009, all in a winning cause. Lopez spent most of 2012 with the Cubs' triple-A affiliate, making four relief appearances for Chicago.

Lopez most likely will join a Lehigh Valley IronPigs rotation that also might feature Tyler Cloyd, Jonathan Pettibone and perhaps Ethan Martin. If he does make the majors, his contract will be worth $1 million plus incentives, per Jim Salisbury.