PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Aspiring to the baseball cliché that says a team can never have enough pitching, the Rays signed Jason Isringhausen on Friday night.

The veteran right-hander signed a Minor League deal with an invitation to Major League camp, and he reported to the Charlotte Sports Complex early Saturday morning.

The deal "happened pretty quick," Isringhausen said.

Isringhausen, 36, is a veteran of 13 Major League seasons, including the last seven with the Cardinals. In 2008, he endured two trips to the disabled list, which limited him to 42 appearances and 12 saves, his lowest total since converting to closer in 1999. His season ended on Aug. 16 due to right elbow tendinitis and a partial tear of his flexor tendon, which was repaired in a Sept. 12 procedure. He also missed 26 games with a right hand laceration.

"It was mechanics, it was my elbow, it was mental," said Isringhausen, who said he'd like to forget 2008. "So it's good to get in here and have a fresh start, see what happens. ... You're always trying to make yourself better. Always."

Tampa Bay is banking on Isringhausen's 2008 season being an aberration. His body of work allows that having him in camp is a risk worth taking.

"Gosh, I hear nothing but good things about this fella," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "We're looking forward to seeing him out there."

Isringhausen has compiled 293 career saves, sixth highest among active players and 22nd on the all-time list. Since 2000, his 284 saves rank tied for third (with Billy Wagner) among Major League pitchers, trailing only Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman. He is also the all-time Cardinals leader with 217 saves.

Isringhausen was selected to the National League All-Star team in 2005 and the American League squad in '00. He has pitched in five postseasons with St. Louis and Oakland and reached the World Series in '04. In 23 career postseason appearances, he is 4-5 with 11 saves and a 2.36 ERA; he saved a career-high 47 games in 2004, tied for the NL lead.

Count incumbent closer Troy Percival among Isringhausen's biggest fans after watching him pitch from the opposing dugout in the AL and being teammates with Isringhausen with St. Louis.

"At one point, he was one of the top five guys in the league closing," Percival said. "So what can he do? He can come into any situation and not be intimidated. If his arm is healthy like it should be, there's no reason he can't go out there and be a big help for us."

In addition to Isringhausen, candidates for the Rays' bullpen include Percival, Grant Balfour, J.P. Howell, Dan Wheeler, Lance Cormier, Joe Nelson, Derek Rodriguez, Brian Shouse, Jeff Niemann and Jason Hammel.

"You've got to have that [depth]," Percival said. "[Acquiring Isringhausen] has just given us more depth to go to and guys that are proven in tough situations, guys who can go out and get the job done."

Isringhausen is hardly a lock to make the team, which puts him in an unfamiliar situation. But it's a situation he seems to be greeting with open arms.

"I'm just happy to have a fresh start," Isringhausen said. "It's been a long time. Because they told me I still need to make the team. I haven't had to do that in 10 or so years. So it feels good. [It] gives you a little more pep in your step when you get old. It's good [there are] a lot of kids here to keep you young."

He paused and smiled, before adding, "And you always have Percy."

Isringhausen seems comfortable about his health and said he will not have to hold back this spring.

"Everything is going good," Isringhausen said. "That's my main thing, staying healthy."

If Isringhausen is able to find the magic this spring, there is little question he will be a major asset.

"I'd take him on my team any day of the week," Percival said. "[You can] put him out there with bases loaded and no outs and be confident he'd get the job done."