Rangers, Colby Lewis agree on minor league contract

The Texas Rangers and starting pitcher Colby Lewis came to an agreement Saturday on a minor league contract with an invite to spring training for 2014, reports Executive Vice President of Communications John Blake.

The new deal would pay him $2 million if he is able to make it back to the major leagues, with an additional $4 million in possible performance incentives.

Lewis missed all of the 2013 season after elbow surgery late in 2012. He had hoped to return around the All Star break, but bone spurs in his hip ruined that goal. He underwent hip resurfacing surgery in August and still has a ways to go before he can pitch again. He is now looking at the start of spring training just to begin playing long toss.

Lewis, 34, has been solid if mostly unspectacular since first signing with the Rangers in 2010 after a stint in Japan. He had been in the midst of his best career season in 2012 before he needed elbow surgery. Over 16 starts, he had a 3.43 ERA and 1.08 WHIP while exhibiting excellent control. The Rangers originally drafted him in the first round of the 1999 draft and he played his first three major league seasons for Texas.

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