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Baseball notebook: Rangers sign El Duque

Orlando Hernandez will attempt a comeback with Texas. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
Orlando Hernandez will attempt a comeback with Texas. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

El Duque will try to make a comeback with the Texas Rangers.

Orlando Hernandez, who has been part of four World Series championship teams, agreed to a minor league contract Thursday with the Rangers. The right-hander is expected to join Triple-A Oklahoma City for workouts Sunday, and could start pitching for the RedHawks soon after that.

Hernandez last pitched in the major leagues for the New York Mets in 2007, then had surgery on the second toe of his right foot. The Rangers considered Hernandez during the offseason and have a scout in the Miami area that has watched him throw several times this spring.

“We like what we’ve seen. He’s healthy. He’s throwing the ball well. He’s motivated to come back,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “He’s in great shape. … I just don’t know game shape. He has been throwing bullpens on his own.”

Daniels called it a low-risk move that could provide experienced depth in the rotation or the bullpen. Texas starters Brandon McCarthy (stress fracture in shoulder) and Matt Harrison (left shoulder inflammation) are on the 15-day disabled list, and four other pitchers are on the 60-day DL.

Hernandez is 90-65 with a 4.13 ERA in 211 starts and eight relief appearances for the New York Yankees (1998-2002, 2004), Chicago White Sox (2005), Arizona (2006) and New York Mets (2006-07).

Hernandez won World Series rings with the Yankees in 1998, 1999 and 2000, and with the White Sox in 2005.

Escobar sent to pen

Angels right-hander Kelvim Escobar has been dropped from the rotation after one start and sent to the bullpen because of a lack of stamina in his surgically repaired throwing shoulder.

Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said Escobar will not pitch again until the middle of next week. There is a possibility that Escobar, expected to be a reliever the rest of the season, could wind up on the disabled list.

After going 18-7 for the Angels in 2007, Escobar underwent shoulder surgery last year and missed the entire season. He made three rehab starts in the minors this year.

Clearing the bases

Tampa Bay designated hitter Pat Burrell is set to rejoin the team today after missing 29 games with a neck strain. … Philadelphia infielder Pablo Ozuna has been suspended for 50 games under baseball’s minor league drug program.