MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins, whose hopes of playing
the 2002 season were given a big boost a day earlier, signed
veteran right-handed reliever Mike Jackson on Wednesday to a
minor-league contract.
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Jackson, 37, has pitched for Philadelphia, Seattle, San
Francisco, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Houston in his 16-year career.
He appeared in more games in the 1990s than any other pitcher.
"There are some opportunities here to get some innings in our
bullpen," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Wednesday. "If he
throws the ball the way he's capable of throwing, he should have a
good chance to make our team. It's a good fit for both of us."
Jackson's best season came in 1998 with the Indians, when he
posted a 1.55 earned-run average and 40 saves in 64 innings.
After signing a one-year, $3 million contract with Philadelphia
for the 2000 season, Jackson needed arthroscopic surgery on his
right shoulder and missed the entire season. He returned to action
with Houston last year and went 5-3 with a 4.70 ERA in 69 innings,
also appearing in two playoff games for the Astros.
LaTroy Hawkins' tryout as the closer failed last season, so
Eddie Guardado will start 2002 in that role. That leaves lefty
Travis Miller and righties Bob Wells, Jack Cressend and Jackson as
the top candidates for middle relief.
The Twins had expressed interest in signing Jackson a couple of
times earlier in his career, but the price tag was too high.
"He brings some intriguing things to our bullpen, which has
some areas of concern," Ryan said. "Pitching 67 games is a full
workload, a pretty true indicator he is healthy."
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld an injunction
that forces the Twins to play in the Metrodome in 2002 -- a blow to
Major League Baseball's plan to eliminate two teams, one of which
is thought to be the Twins.
Pitchers and catchers are set to report to spring training Feb.
16 at the Twins' practice facility in Fort Myers, Fla., while the
balance of the squad is scheduled to arrive on Feb. 21.
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