The Mariners signed RHP Jeremy Bonderman Friday aftern0on to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Bonderman, 30, last appeared in the majors in 2010 with the Detroit Tigers when he went 8-10 with a 5.53 ERA in 30 games, including 29 starts. He underwent successful Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in April and has been working out in the Tri-Cities getting in shape for the 2013 season.
A native of Pasco, Bonderman pitched eight seasons for the Tigers from 2003-2010. He went 67-77 with a 4.89 ERA (639 ER, 1,176 IP) in 207 career games (193 starts), and recorded 7.11 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched.
In 2006, Bonderman was a key factor in the Tigers’ World Series run, going 14-8 with a 4.08 ERA in an AL-leading 34 starts. In the postseason, he made three starts, going 1-0 with a 3.10 ERA (7 ER, 20.1 IP).
Oakland selected Bonderman with the 26th overall pick in the 2001 June draft following his junior season at Pasco High School. He made a quick rise to the majors, making only 27 minor league appearances before arriving in the big leagues. Bonderman was traded to Detroit Aug. 22, 2002, and made his MLB debut as a 20-year-old in the Tigers starting rotation in 2003.
Bonderman produced a 5-5 career record with a 5.47 ERA in 13 starts against the Mariners over 75.2 innings.
Bonderman pitched his most dominant game Aug. 23, 2004, when he defeated the Chicago White Sox 7-0 with 14 strikeouts.
GM Jack Zduriencik, who traded LHP Jason Vargas to the Los Angeles Angels for first baseman/DH Kendrys Morales earlier in the week, said all options were on the table regarding acquisition of another starting pitcher.
