League OKs Pierzynski deal with Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The one-year agreement between catcher A.J. Pierzynski and the Texas Rangers has been approved by baseball officials, the American League team said Wednesday.

Pierzynski, 35, will be paid $7.5 million next season. He joins catchers Geovany Soto and Eli Whiteside on the Texas roster.

Pierzynski hit .278 with 27 home runs and 77 runs batted in for the Chicago White Sox last season.

He was with the White Sox for eight seasons after previously playing for Minnesota and San Francisco. In 15 major league seasons, Pierzynski hit .284 with 155 home runs and 730 RBI.

Pierzynski played in two All-Star Games and was one playoff teams after four seasons, including in 2005 when the White Sox won the World Series.