Rhodes Returns To Mariners

The Seattle Mariners are possibly giving 36-year-old Arthur Rhodes another shot in the bullpen, agreeing Thursday to a minor league contract that could be worth $1 million for one year if he is added to the big league roster, including a chance to earn another $150,000 in performance bonuses.

After a nine-year career as a starter with the Baltimore Orioles, the lefty reliever came to Seattle from 2000-03, enjoying a 26-15 record in his four seasons as their main setup man. In 2001, he sported an 8-0 record with a 1.72 ERA in 71 appearances when the Mariners won 116 games.

Upon leaving Seattle, he tried on an Oakland Athletics uniform, then traded it in for one season as a Cleveland Indian, before joining the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006.

Rhodes isn't the oldest cat to stand on the rubber and has been effective out of the bullpen for most of his career. He struggled last year in Philly, going 0-5 with a 5.32 ERA in 55 games, missing the final three weeks of the season due to an injured pitching elbow.

Rhodes will most likely join the Mariners bullpen this year to take some of the load off of left-hander George Sherrill, who was 2-4 with a 4.28 ERA in 72 relief appearances last season.

[CBS Sports]