NEW YORK -- Miguel Cairo returned to the New York Yankees on Thursday, finalizing a $1 million, one-year contract.
The 31-year-old infielder spent last season with the New York Mets, hitting .251 with 19 RBI. He was with the Yankees in 2004 and became the starting second baseman during the second half of the season. He hit .292 with 42 RBI and wanted to re-sign, but the Yankees wouldn't give him a two-year contract and instead signed Tony Womack, who quickly lost his starting job to Robinson Cano.
Cairo will back up Cano, first baseman Jason Giambi and third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
New York also agreed to a minor league deal with right-hander Ramiro Mendoza, who returned to the major leagues in September following shoulder surgery in January. He pitched one inning, on Sept. 1, and manager Joe Torre said Mendoza still needed to get arm strength back to be effective.
The 31-year-old infielder spent last season with the New York Mets, hitting .251 with 19 RBI. He was with the Yankees in 2004 and became the starting second baseman during the second half of the season. He hit .292 with 42 RBI and wanted to re-sign, but the Yankees wouldn't give him a two-year contract and instead signed Tony Womack, who quickly lost his starting job to Robinson Cano.
Cairo will back up Cano, first baseman Jason Giambi and third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
New York also agreed to a minor league deal with right-hander Ramiro Mendoza, who returned to the major leagues in September following shoulder surgery in January. He pitched one inning, on Sept. 1, and manager Joe Torre said Mendoza still needed to get arm strength back to be effective.