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Cubs sign veteran reliever Soriano

In an effort to bolster their bullpen in the long run, the Cubs on Tuesday signed veteran reliever Rafael Soriano to a minor-league deal.

The 35-year-old Soriano gets a reported prorated share of $4.1 million in salary plus possible incentive bonuses.

Soriano is 22-28 with 207 saves and a 2.85 ERA in 585 big league appearances, all but 8 in relief, covering 13 seasons with Seattle (2002-06), Atlanta (2007-09), Tampa Bay (2010), the New York Yankees (2011-12) and Washington (2013-14). Over the last three seasons, Soriano has combined to record 117 saves, an average of 39 per season, with a 9-5 record and 2.84 ERA in 201 relief outings.

He went 4-1 with 32 saves and a 3.19 ERA in 64 relief appearances for the Nationals in 2014. He has not pitched this year.

Soriano pitched for current Cubs manager Joe Maddon in 2010 with Tampa Bay. He notched 45 saves and made the American League all-star team that season.

The Cubs bullpen has been spotty this year. Maddon pulled closer Hector Rondon in favor of Pedro Strop on Saturday in Washington after Rondon walked the only batter he faced. Strop earned the save in a 4-2 Cubs win. The Cubs also have missed hard-throwing right-hander Neil Ramirez, who has been on the disabled list most of the year with a shoulder ailment.

• Bruce Miles will have more on Soriano and the second day of the draft later at dailyherald.com. Follow Bruce on Twitter @BruceMiles2112

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