Mondesi Set to Join Pirates

Raul Mondesi says he is close to completing a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he’s thankful for an opportunity to play in the major leagues this season.

“The Pirates have given me a second chance in my career, and I should be grateful for that,” Mondesi said Saturday.

Mondesi, who will turn 33 next month, was the National League rookie of the year for the Dodgers in 1994.

The free-agent outfielder would probably be the Pirates’ starting right fielder this season.

Mondesi made $13 million last season while splitting the season between the New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks, batting .272 with 24 home runs and 71 runs batted in in 143 games.

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The Texas Rangers signed All-Star third baseman Hank Blalock to a five-year contract.

Financial terms of the contract, which includes a team option for a sixth season, weren’t disclosed by the Rangers. Blalock made $302,500 last season, his first full year in the majors.

Blalock hit .300 with 29 home runs and 90 RBIs last season.

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Kansas City Royal right-hander Kyle Snyder will undergo surgery on his pitching shoulder on Wednesday and be sidelined indefinitely.

Snyder re-injured the shoulder while rehabilitating from arthroscopic surgery, the Royals said.

In his rookie season in 2003, Snyder, 26, had a 1-6 record with a 5.17 earned-run average in 15 starts.

He was put on the disabled list in August with right shoulder stiffness and had surgery on Sept. 3.