Giants sign RP Joe Nathan to minor-league deal

Nathan was designated for assignment by the Cubs earlier this month after making three scoreless appearances.

Veteran reliever Joe Nathan has signed with the San Francisco Giants on a minor-league deal, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

The 41-year-old former closer was designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs earlier this month after making three scoreless appearances. Nathan is making his second comeback from Tommy John surgery in his career.

Nathan, drafted by the Giants in 1995, played his first four MLB seasons with the team before being traded to the Minnesota Twins. Nathan has racked up 377 saves along the way, including 35 with the Detroit Tigers as recently as 2014.

The Giants have a crowded bullpen with Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla managing the back-end of games. But Nathan could still be a serviceable arm during the postseason if he remains healthy. For the record, his signing comes two days after Casilla blew his sixth save of the season.

Nathan will likely start out in the seventh inning if and when he makes his Giants debut.