Germano, Rangers agree to Minor League contract

The Rangers and right-hander Justin Germano have agreed on a Minor League contract with an invite to the club's Major League Spring Training.

The 31-year-old Germano spent most of last season with the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, where he went 8-9 with a 4.47 ERA in 25 games (24 starts).

Germano was a 13th-round Draft choice of the Padres in 2000 and has made 94 big league appearances, posting a 5.29 ERA and a 10-30 record with six different teams.

In addition to his eight seasons in the Majors, Germano also spent 2009 in Japan where he pitched for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and made 13 starts with a 4.38 ERA.

Germano is the Rangers' 11th non-roster invite to Major League Spring Training. Others include Colby Lewis, Jose Contreras and Kevin Kouzmanoff.

• The Rangers also announced that lefty Darren Oliver, who retired after the 2013 season, is the recipient of the 2014 Mark Holtz Alumni Award. After spending 20 years in the Major Leagues, Oliver will receive the award at the 2014 Dr Pepper Texas Rangers Awards Dinner on Jan. 24 in Grapevine, Texas.