The Texas Rangers signed slugging first baseman Erubiel Durazo to a minor-league contract on Tuesday with an invitation to spring training. The 31-year-old Durazo batted just .237 with four homers and 16 RBI in 41 games for the Oakland Athletics last season. His season was cut short by left elbow tendinitis and he underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on July 22. The Rangers are hoping Durazo returns to his 2004 form, when the first baseman batted .321 with 22 home runs and 88 RBI. Durazo was fifth in the American League in batting average and seventh in on-base percentage (.396) during that campaign. Durazo sports a .281 career average with 94 homers and 330 RBI in 624 games over seven seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Athletics. He also has had previous success at Ameriquest Field in Arlington, posting a .338 batting average with three homers and 13 RBI.