Angels Sign Grahe, Are Near a Deal With Ex-Ranger Left-Hander Patterson

They are still not sure how they will use him, but the Angels signed reliever Joe Grahe to a one-year contract worth $925,000 Friday, avoiding arbitration.

The Angels also have agreed in principal on a one-year contract with free-agent left-hander Bob Patterson. Patterson was 2-4 with a 4.78 earned-run average last season with Texas.

Grahe, who is eligible to earn $110,000 in incentives, probably will be part of the bullpen-by-committee arrangement. But if the Angels sign free agent Gregg Olson, Grahe would become a candidate for the fifth starter’s job.

“I have no problems with however they want to use me,” said Grahe, who was 4-1 with 11 saves and a 2.86 ERA last season. “Really, either way will be fine.”

Grahe, who sat out five weeks during the season because of tendinitis in his right rotator cuff, said he has been throwing without pain since the holidays.

The Angels also signed minor league reliever Ron Watson.