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The Minnesota Twins signed eight players to minor-league contracts on Wednesday, including former big leaguers Scott Elarton and Jason Lane. The club also signed LHP Michael O'Connor, RHPs Bryan Augenstein and Virgil Vasquez, first baseman Reynaldo Rodriguez, outfielder Brandon Boggs, and shortstop Ray Olmedo. Augenstein, Boggs, and Olmedo are all receiving invitations to big-league camp in the spring.
Elarton, a right-handed starting pitcher, hasn't pitched in the major leagues since 2008. He has a career ERA of 5.29, and has spent the past several seasons in the minor leagues. He won 17 games with the Houston Astros in 2000, and has also pitched for the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals.
Lane was once a well-regarded hitting prospect, and played seven seasons in the big leagues as an outfielder. He hit 26 home runs with the Astros in 2005, but is attempting to keep his career alive as a relief pitcher.