Red Sox sign Carlos Delgado to minor league deal

The banged-up Boston Red Sox have signed free agent slugger Carlos Delgado to a minor league contract.

The 38-year-old Delgado has not played in the majors since May 2009 for the New York Mets. He has had two hip surgeries since then.

Delgado is set to report to Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday. He played winter ball in Puerto Rico during the offseason before hip problems slowed him.

Delgado has 473 career home runs.

Boston first baseman Kevin Youkilis had season-ending surgery on his thumb Friday and Mike Lowell took his spot.

Delgado worked out for the Red Sox on Friday at Yankee Stadium and manager Terry Francona says he swung the bat well. But Francona cautioned Saturday that it's too early to project what to expect from Delgado.