Mercker Signs With the Angels

The Angels signed veteran pitcher Kent Mercker to a minor league contract Wednesday, increasing the pool of candidates for the starting rotation to nine.

“It’s pretty well set,” General Manager Bill Stoneman said.

Mercker and Tom Candiotti, signed to a minor league contract Monday, provide insurance should the Angels decide their young pitchers are not ready for the major leagues. In addition to veterans Ken Hill and Jason Dickson, the Angels expect Ramon Ortiz, Jarrod Washburn, Brian Cooper, Scott Schoeneweis and Mike Fyhrie to compete for starting roles. Veteran Tim Belcher, coming off arm surgery, could join the rotation in late April.

Mercker, 31, went 8-5 with a 4.80 earned-run average for the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox last season, starting three playoff games for the Red Sox. The left-hander joins his seventh team in six years.

The Angels also signed right-hander Eric Weaver, 26, to a minor league contract. A former Dodger minor leaguer, he split last season between Seattle and triple-A Tacoma.