Mets Agree To Terms With Pitcher Ervin Santana On Minor League Contract

The Mets added some starting pitching depth Friday by agreeing to terms on a minor league contract with veteran right-hander Ervin Santana. 

Santana, 36, became a free agent after the Chicago White Sox designated him for assignment last month. In three starts for the White Sox, he was 0-2 with a 9.45 ERA.

The signing is pending a physical. Santana would first report to the Mets' training facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Just two years ago, Santana was a 16-game winner and an All-Star with the Minnesota Twins. An array of injuries -- which included undergoing finger surgery -- limited him to just five starts with the Twins in 2018.

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Santana has spent 15 seasons in the majors, also pitching for the Angels, Royals and Braves. For his career, he's 149-127 with a 4.09 ERA and 1,926 strikeouts. He is a two-time All-Star.

The lack of depth in the Mets' rotation became obvious earlier this month when Jason Vargas was sent to the injured list with a hamstring issue, prompting the team to trade with the Tampa Bay Rays' for Wilmer Font, who has a 7.84 ERA through three starts. Vargas is slated to return Saturday, but the addition of Santana gives the Mets another option should a starter get hurt or struggle.