Reliever Ramirez returning to Giants on Minors deal

SAN FRANCISCO -- Hall of Fame first baseman Willie McCovey has said, "Once you're a Giant, you're always a Giant." That's becoming more and more true by the day.

The Giants have brought back right-hander Ramon Ramirez, who signed a Minor League contract with an invitation to big league camp. The deal was initially reported by CBSSports.com.

San Francisco sent Ramirez and outfielder Andres Torres to the Mets for center fielder Angel Pagan during the 2011 Winter Meetings. Now, all three players are Giants. Pagan ended a brief foray into free agency by signing a four-year, $40 million contract in December, shortly before Torres reached a one-year, $2 million accord.

Ramirez, 31, enjoyed his best seasons with the Giants in 2010-11. He sparkled down the stretch in 2010 after San Francisco obtained him from Boston in a Trade Deadline deal, recording a 0.67 ERA in 25 relief appearances. One year later, Ramirez finished 3-3 with a 2.62 ERA and four saves in 66 outings.

Last year, Ramirez posted a 3-4 mark with a 4.24 ERA and one save in 58 games with the Mets.

Ramirez has appeared in 417 games, all in relief, during a seven-year Major League career with Colorado, Boston and Kansas City, as well as the Mets and Giants. He owns a 23-21 record with a 3.32 ERA.

Adding Ramirez swelled the Giants' Spring Training pitching contingent to 36. Pitchers and catchers report to camp next Tuesday and begin workouts the next day on Feb. 13. Position players report Feb. 15, one day before the first scheduled full-squad workout.