The Indians have signed 32-year old righty starting pitcher Jon Garland to a minor league deal.  Garland pitched in 9 games (all starts) for the Dodgers last year and he was 1-5 with a 4.43 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP.  His season was cut short early last year due to rotator cuff surgery, but he’s good to go right now.  He has pitched in 353 games (330 starts) in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 132-119 with 1 save, a 4.32 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP.  From 2002-2010, Garland won at least 10 games in each of those nine years as he has been very consistent when healthy.  He will compete with Kevin Slowey for the #5 spot in the Tribe’s rotation this spring.

UPDATE:  (2/22/2012) – The Indians have voided Jon Garland’s minor league deal as he failed to show up for his physical on Monday.  He is now a free agent again.