Angels Sign Reliever Eichhorn to Minor League Contract

The Angels made perhaps their final move before spring training opens this month, signing relief pitcher Mark Eichhorn to a minor league contract Friday.

Eichhorn, who pitched for the Angels from 1990 to ‘92, has been invited to spring training as a nonroster player.

The club still hopes to acquire a standout catcher and re-sign outfielders Garret Anderson and Jim Edmonds, reliever Troy Percival and first baseman J.T. Snow.

Eichhorn, a right-hander, hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since 1994, missing last season because of a torn rotator cuff. He will undergo a physical Feb. 15.

“He’s a veteran pitcher who’s had a lot of success,” said Tim Mead, Angel assistant general manager. “He’s resilient. He bounces back very well.”

About obtaining a catcher, Mead said: “It’s still a ‘want.’ It’s something we will pursue into spring training.”

Eichhorn, 35, has a career record of 47-38 with 32 saves and a 2.81 earned-run average in 532 games. In his three seasons with the Angels, he was 7-12 with 16 saves and a 2.50 ERA in 172 appearances. The Angels traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays for catcher Greg Myers and outfielder Rob Ducey on July 30, 1992.

However, he hasn’t pitched since undergoing surgery Feb. 8, 1995. He was 6-5 with one save and a 2.15 ERA in 43 games for the Baltimore Orioles in 1994.

If healthy, Eichhorn adds depth to a bullpen that includes Percival, Lee Smith (sidelined by a knee injury), Bryan Harvey and Mike James.

“It’s good to create competition,” Mead said. “It’s not like we’re bringing in six third basemen, six shortstops. It’s pitching. Pitching is very important.”

The Angels also re-signed minor leaguers Geoff Edsell, a pitcher, and Tim Harkrider, an infielder.