Phils ink veteran righty Gaudin to Minor League deal

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies hope they added versatility to their pitching staff Tuesday by signing right-hander Chad Gaudin to a Minor League contract.

Gaudin will be in big league camp this spring with a chance to win a job on the 25-man roster.

Gaudin, who turns 31 in March, went 5-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 30 appearances (12 starts) last season with the Giants. He opened the season in the bullpen, posting a 2.05 ERA in 18 relief appearances, before finishing the season in the rotation. In 12 starts, Gaudin went 5-1 with a 3.53 ERA before ending his season on the disabled list with carpal tunnel syndrome.

"He had a very good year last year," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "He's able to do something a lot of people can't do."

Gaudin's ability to start and relieve gives him value. He will be stretched out during Spring Training, but he is most likely to open the season in the bullpen or as a starter in Triple-A. Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Kyle Kendrick and Roberto Hernandez are locks for the rotation. Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and Jonathan Pettibone are the top candidates for the No. 5 starter's job, although Ethan Martin and Gaudin will get a shot to start.

"To have a guy who can slide back and forth, that's tough to find," Amaro said.

Gaudin is 45-44 with a 4.44 ERA in 344 appearances (87 starts) in his big league career. Gaudin was arrested last January in Las Vegas for allegedly groping a woman on a gurney at a hospital. He was charged in July with gross lewdness, which is a misdemeanor. He pleaded no contest and received a sentence of community service.