The Red Sox continue to sign veteran pitchers in an attempt to stockpile starting and relief help, just in case.
John Maine is no different.
The Red Sox have signed the former Met to a minor league deal and have also invited him to come to spring training in February, as reported by the Fredericksburg Freelance-Star.
His agent, Rex Gary, also indicates that Maine would be used as a bullpen option for the Sox if he stays on the roster.
"They're going to look at him out of the bullpen," Gary told the paper. "They know he can start, but they think he can be a heck of a reliever in the American League East.
Maine, a seven-year veteran, has not pitched in the majors since 2010 due to shoulder injuries and struggled in 2011 with the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies with a 7.43 ERA in 11 starts.
Maine has started 105 of his 108 games he's appeared in, and he may be of use as a long reliever. His career ERA is 4.35 and he averages 7.66 strikeouts per nine innings.
