M's sign Arthur Rhodes to minor-league contract

The Mariners are bringing a familiar name back to compete for a job in their bullpen.

Left-hander Arthur Rhodes, a relief workhorse for the M's for four seasons (2000-03) was signed Thursday to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. Pitchers and catchers report to Peoria, Ariz., on Feb. 14.

"Arthur Rhodes is coming to camp with a terrific opportunity to make this team," Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi said. "He is a veteran left- handed pitcher with a lot of late-inning experience who could possibly be a factor in the back end of our bullpen."

Rhodes, 37, pitched last year for Philadelphia, where he was 0-5 with a 5.32 earned-run-average and four saves in 55 games for the Phillies.

Rhodes' best season with the Mariners was 2000, when he was 8-0 with 1.72 earned-run-average and a league-leading 32 holds. He also excelled during the 116-win season of 2001 with a 10-4 record and 2.33 earned-run-average.

In 2004, the A's signed him as a free agent to become their closer, but he struggled with injuries and saved just nine games. He pitched for Cleveland in 2005 before he was brought to the Phillies last year by general manager Pat Gillick, who also had Rhodes in Baltimore and Seattle.