Twins sign pitchers Ryan Vogelsong and Nick Tepesch

Phil Miller of the Star Tribune reports that the Twins have agreed to minor-league deals with righties Ryan Vogelsong and Nick Tepesch. The deals also come with invites to spring training. The more the merrier, I guess.

Vogelsong, 39, had his surprising career year in 2011 when he made the All Star Game and posted an ERA of 2.71 with the Giants. Last year he missed 10 weeks after getting hit in the face with a baseball. In 82.1 innings for the Pirates last year his ERA was 4.81 with a 6.7 K/9 against a 4.4 BB/9. Not sure what he can provide to the Twins, but it sounds like incentives are involved if he does well.

Tepesch, originally drafted by the Texas Rangers, is coming off surgery due to thoracic outlet syndrome in 2015. He spent 2016 mostly in AAA for the quartet of Texas, Oakland, Kansas City and the Dodgers. He posted a decent 3.96 ERA there but lacked in strikeouts (4.6 K/9).

The two will be competing for a back of the rotation slot or long relief in the bullpen in 2017.