Parque signs contract with Diamondbacks

Jim Parque, a 1994 Crescenta Valley High graduate, signed a minor

league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday, joining

his third team in the past three years.

Terms were not disclosed, but Parque -- who was released by the

Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Sept. 12 -- was invited to spring training.

Pitchers and catchers must report to Arizona's spring training

site in Tucson Electric Park by Feb. 21.

Parque, a left-hander, went 1-1 with Tampa Bay last season, making

five starts and amassing an 11.94 earned-run average. He threw 17 1/3

innings and allowed 27 hits.

Parque has been bothered by injuries to his throwing shoulder and

has made just 14 starts in the past three seasons, after going 13-6

with the Chicago White Sox in 2000.

Edgar Melik-Stepanyan