by Steve Carney

The Tampa Bay Rays have sign four players, including three with Major-league experience to minor-league contracts/

Pitchers Jamey Wright, Juan Carlos Oviedo and Juan Sandoval, and outfielder Shelley Duncan have all agreed to deal, which include invitations to major-league spring training.

Wright, 38, spent 2012 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 5-3 with a 3.72 earned run average in 66 appearances, all in relief.  The 17-year veteran has made 246 starts in the majors since being drafted in the first round in 1993, but has been used exclusively out of the bullpen since 2008.

Oviedo, the closer formerly known as Leo Nunez, saved 92 games for the then Florida Marlins from 2009-2011.  He spent 2012 with the Marlins organization, but did not pitch for the big club.  He spent the first half of the season on the restricted list after visa issues revealed his true identity.  He then underwent Tommy John surgery in September.  Oviedo's contract has a club option for 2014.

Sandoval, who turned 32 this week, spent the last two seasons in the Mexican League, and spent ten seasons in the minors with the Mariners, Brewers, and Phillies organization.

Duncan, the son of former longtime pitching coach Dave Duncan, hit .203 with 11 home runs and 31 runs batted in in 81 games with the Cleveland Indians last season.  He also played with the New York Yankees from 2007-2009, and was involved in the altercation in the 2008 Grapefruit League where he spiked Akinori Iwamura, prompting a fight with outfielder Jonny Gomes.