MIAMI -- Mark Hendrickson agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year
contract Wednesday with the Florida Marlins, who expect him to
provide depth and experience for a young rotation ravaged by
injuries last season.
Hendrickson can make an additional $500,000 in performance
bonuses. The 6-foot-9 left-hander, a former NBA player, went 4-8
with a 5.21 ERA for the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. He appeared
in a career-high 39 games, and was 3-7 with a 6.13 ERA in 15
starts.
The 33-year-old Hendrickson became a free agent last month when
the Dodgers declined to offer him a contract before the Dec. 12
deadline. He is 43-55 with a 5.01 ERA in 179 major league games,
including 135 starts. He also has pitched for Toronto and Tampa
Bay.
"Mark gives us another quality left-handed arm in our rotation,
and his experience and veteran leadership should benefit our
clubhouse," Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
The Marlins also signed left-hander Randy Williams to a minor
league contract with an invitation to spring training, and invited
infielder Gaby Sanchez to spring training.
Hendrickson would make $50,000 if he starts 20 games, another
$50,000 if he starts 22 times, and $100,000 each time he reaches
milestones of 24, 26, 28 and 30 games started.
Injuries sidelined pitchers Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez and
Ricky Nolasco for most of last season, when Florida starters
combined for a 5.58 ERA, worst in the majors. Johnson is expected
to miss the 2008 season following reconstructive elbow surgery in
August.
Sanchez will take the mound Monday to begin a throwing program for the first time since shoulder surgery ended his season in 2007. He is not expected to be ready for spring training.
"I came here early because I'm still doing rehab. But I will not be ready for [the start of] spring training," he said, according to the Palm Beach Post.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.