Left-hander Erik Bedard is coming back to the Tampa Bay Rays on a minor league deal and is expected to start in the rotation at Triple-A Durham. Infielder Mike Fontenot also was signed Friday to a minor league contract.
Bedard, 35, was one of three competitors for the Rays' fifth-starter job this spring that eventually went to right-hander Jake Odorizzi. He's a career 67-76 with a 3.94 ERA in a 10-year stint that has included stops with the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros.
He was released Tuesday, allowing him to explore starting opportunities elsewhere.
Fontenot, 33, has hit a career .265 with 27 home runs in a seven-year stint that has included stops with the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies. He spent this spring with the Washington Nationals. He'll also report to Durham.
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