NEWARK, N.J. -- Former major league pitcher Jose Lima signed with the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League on Thursday.

Lima made the National League All-Star team in 1999, when he went 21-10 with a 3.58 ERA and 187 strikeouts for the Houston Astros.

His career tailed off after that. The 30-year-old right-hander was 7-16 with a 6.65 ERA in 2000 and he split the following season between Houston and the Detroit Tigers, going 6-12 with a 5.56 ERA. He was released by the Tigers last season with a 4-6 record and a 7.77 ERA.

Lima was originally signed by Detroit in 1989, and briefly reached the majors in 1994. He went to Houston in December 1996, and won 45 games for the Astros over the next four seasons.

Lima is 63-74 with a 5.14 ERA in nine big league seasons.