OTTAWA - Former Senior National Team member and former Texas Rangers closer Jeff Zimmerman has signed a minor-league deal with the Seattle Mariners.
The Carsland, Alberta native has not pitched in the Major Leagues since the 2001 season. He suffered an elbow injury the following spring and has undergone two Tommy John surgeries since.
The Baseball Canada Alumni Award winner reached 90 mph during a recent workout, which was good enough for the Mariners to pick him and allow him to continue his comeback.
Zimmerman made his Major League debut in 1999 where he got off to a fantastic start, beginning the season with a 9-0 record and going 26 consecutive appearances without allowing a run, both of which are Texas Rangers team records.
In 2001, the now 36-year-old took over the closer’s role for the Rangers where he would amass 28 saves, including 17 straight to close out the season.
Zimmerman will report to Peoria, Arizona at the Mariners Extended Spring Training facility prior to being assigned to a Mariners’ Minor League affiliate.
