Rangers sign ex-Rays closer

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas took another step toward shoring up its bullpen Thursday by signing right-hander Esteban Yan to a one-year deal.

Yan, 27, went 7-8 with a 4.30 ERA and 18 saves in 55 games last season with the Devil Rays.

His signing comes four days after the Rangers signed two-time All-Star closer Ugueth Urbina to a one-year deal for $4-million with another $500,000 deferred.

General manager John Hart said Yan will be used mostly in middle relief.

"We've added a youthful, durable right-handed pitcher that has a big upside," Hart said. "He's just the type of guy who can pitch multiple days and potentially can pitch multiple innings. "

Yan converted 19 of 27 saves last year.

"The addition of Esteban Yan is in some ways like adding a third closer," Hart said. "But he is also a guy who can be used earlier in a game."

Yan joins a bullpen that blew several late leads last season.

The one-year deals for Yan and Urbina work because closer Jeff Zimmerman could be recovered from arm trouble by 2004 and Francisco Cordero, who had 10 saves in 2001, could be ready to take over by then.

Yan became a free agent when the Rays didn't tender him a contract last week.