Report: Sox sign Germano to minor-league deal

The deal was first reported by CBSsports.com's Jon Heyman on Twitter.

Germano, 29, has a career ERA of 5.02 over a six-season career with the Padres, Reds and Indians. He pitched in nine games for Cleveland last year (0-1, 5.68) before finishing the season with the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization. Heyman reported that, in signing with the Sox, Germano turned down a $1 million offer to stay in South Korea.

Also, mlb.com reported the Sox hired former Mets coach Randy Niemann as a staff assistant. Niemann, who was a back-of-the-staff pitcher for the '86 Mets, also played for the Astros, Pirates, White Sox and Twins. He has been a coach in the Mets' system for 24 years, and spent three seasons (1997-99) on Bobby Valentine's major-league staff.