The Detroit Tigers will give Freddy Garcia a chance to prove he can still pitch, the AP reported.
Out of the majors since June 2007, the two-time All-Star agreed to a minor league contract with the Tigers on Tuesday. Garcia had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder last August while with Philadelphia.
The Tigers also promoted lefty Dontrelle Willis to Triple-A Toledo.
Acquired with Miguel Cabrera in an offseason trade with Florida, Willis has struggled all year. In five major league games and 11 1-3 innings this season, he is 0-1 with a 10.32 ERA.
Willis was sent to Class-A Lakeland in June to work on his control. He is scheduled to pitch Friday for the Mud Hens.
Garcia was a free agent looking for a team. More than a dozen clubs sent scouts to Miami to watch the 33-year-old righty throw last week.
Pitching is always at a premium in the stretch - Boston acquired Paul Byrd from Cleveland on Tuesday.
The Phillies got Garcia in December 2006 from the Chicago White Sox for two minor leaguers. He had $10 million left on his contract but never found his form.
Garcia began last year on the disabled list because of biceps tendinitis and went 1-5 with a 5.90 ERA in 11 starts for Philadelphia.
Garcia was 17-9 for Chicago in 2006, the sixth straight year he pitched at least 200 innings. He is 6-2 lifetime in the postseason with Seattle and the 2005 World Series champion White Sox.