Phillies sign reliever Gomez to minor-league deal

A rebuilding team looking to augment its pitching depth added another arm Monday as the Phillies signed righthanded long reliever Jeanmar Gomez to a minor-league contract.

Gomez, who turns 27 next month, logged 62 innings of relief for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, his second with the club, recording a 3.19 ERA over 44 appearances. Pittsburgh outrighted him off its 40-man roster in November.

Gomez started his career with the Indians, for whom he made 38 starts from 2010 to 2012. He is 19-18 with a 4.41 ERA in 120 career appearances, 74 of which have come out of the bullpen.

His contract includes an invitation to spring training, which begins Feb. 19 with the first workout in Clearwater for Phillies' pitchers and catchers.

Righthanders Kevin Slowey, Sean O'Sullivan and Paul Clemens signed similar deals earlier in the offseason.