Report: Willis, Angels agree to minor league deal
Pitcher Dontrelle Willis has not given up hope of returning the Major Leagues as he agreed to a minor-league contract with the Los Angeles Angels, MLB.com reported Sunday.
Willis will report to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Willis, 31, was the National League rookie of the year in 2003, and he finished second in the Cy Young voting in 2005, when he won 22 games.
He last pitched in the majors in 2011 for the Cincinnati Reds, going 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA in 13 starts.
He signed with the Phillies prior to the 2012 season, but he was released during spring training.
Willis then signed a minor-league deal with the Baltimore Orioles, but he and the Orioles had disagreements about how he should be used.
He later suffered a strained forearm and announced his retirement in July.
However, Willis signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs this past January. He threw just seven pitches in a spring training game before leaving with a shoulder injury.
He was released and signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. He had a 2.57 ERA in 14 starts for the Ducks.
