Langston Picks Up Towel

Mark Langston's retirement was short-lived.

Langston, who announced his retirement last week after 15 seasons, signed a minor-league contract with the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.

Langston, 38, was a non-roster player with San Diego during spring training before leaving camp last week. He decided to give it another shot with the Indians, who have just two left-handers on their roster.

Langston will pitch in a simulated game for Cleveland on Monday in Anaheim, Calif., then will join the Indians' extended training program in Winter Haven, Fla.

Langston pitched in his only World Series last October, allowing Tino Martinez's momentum-swinging grand slam as the New York Yankees won Game 1, 9-6 at Yankee Stadium.

With the score tied at 5-5 and two outs in the seventh, Langston threw a 2-2, two-out pitch that umpire Rich Garcia ruled a ball, angering the Padres. Martinez homered on the next pitch. Langston also walked two that inning.

For his career, Langston is 178-156 with a 3.88 ERA pitching for Seattle, Montreal, the Angels and San Diego. He was 4-6 last year with a 5.86 ERA for the Padres.

His 2,421 strikeouts rank him 27th on the career list. Among active pitchers he is second only to Roger Clemens (3,153).

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