Pence agrees to minor league deal with hometown Rangers

ARLINGTON, TEXAS >> Hunter Pence has agreed to a minor league contract with his hometown Texas Rangers and will attend major league spring training.

If added to the 40-man roster, Pence would get a one-year contract that pays a $2 million salary while in the major leagues.

General manager Jon Daniels said Thursday that the 35-year-old outfielder, who played winter ball, has a long track record of being a great teammate and is a winning player.

Pence dealt with a thumb injury early last season, when he played 97 games for San Francisco. He hit

.226 with four homers and

24 RBIs, all career lows. Pence is a .280 career hitter in 12 big league seasons with Houston, the Phillies and San Francisco, where he was part of two World Series championships.

Texas also announced its minor league contract with infielder Matt Davidson, who would get a one-year contract that pays a $1.5 million salary while in the major leagues. Davidson batted .228 with 20 home runs and 62 RBIs last year for the White Sox.

Mesoraco stays with Mets

NEW YORK >> Catcher Devin Mesoraco is staying with the New York Mets, agreeing to a minor league contract.

If added to the 40-man roster, the 30-year-old would get a one-year contract paying at a rate of $1.75 million while in the major leagues.

Mesoraco was acquired by New York from Cincinnati May 8 in the deal that sent former ace Matt Harvey to the Reds.

Mesoraco hit .221 last season with 11 homers and 33 RBIs in 229 plate appearances.