Right-handed reliever Yoshinori Tateyama will rejoin the Texas Rangers on a minor-league contract, the team said Thursday.

Tateyama, who turns 37 next Wednesday, had become a free agent in October when the Rangers declined an option on him for 2013. His new deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training camp.

In two seasons in the majors, both with Texas, Tateyama made a total of 53 relief appearances, compiling a 3-0 record with an ERA of 5.75. He struggled in 2012 with a back injury and spent much of the season with the Rangers' Triple-A Round Rock affiliate.