D-backs sign Benson to Minor League contract

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today that they have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with right-handed pitcher Kris Benson, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President & General Manager Josh Byrnes.

Benson, who will be assigned to the D-backs’ minor league camp, has a 69-74 record and 4.41 ERA in 203 games, including 197 starts, during his eight-year Major League career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers. He was the No. 1 overall selection in the 1996 First-Year Player Draft by the Pirates and went 21-26 with a 3.95 ERA from 1999-2000 after making his Major League debut. Benson missed the entire 2001 season after having Tommy John surgery and was later traded to the Mets near the trading deadline in 2004. He compiled a 10-8 mark and 4.13 ERA in 28 starts for the Mets in 2005 and then was traded to the Orioles prior to the 2006 season, when he was 11-12 with a 4.82 ERA in 30 starts.

Benson missed the entire 2007 season after having rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder. He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in February 2008 and posted a 1-4 record and 5.52 ERA in 11 starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley over a two-month period before being granted his release on Aug. 30, 2008. Benson made the Rangers’ 2009 Opening Day roster as one of their starting pitchers, but after a short stint on the disabled list, he was relegated to the bullpen in long relief and was 1-1 with an 8.46 ERA in 8 games, 2 starts, overall.

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