Former All-Star Mark Prior signs with team in independent Golden Baseball League

Former ace Mark Prior signs with minor league team

FULLERTON, Calif. — Former NL All-Star Mark Prior is trying to make another comeback.

Prior signed with the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League, then pitched a scoreless sixth inning of relief in his debut Tuesday, a 6-0 win over the Victoria Seals.

The 29-year-old Prior retired the top of the Seals’ order, striking out Tim Rodriguez to end the inning.

Prior’s five-year major league career with the Chicago Cubs ended in 2006. The right-hander had a 42-29 record and a 3.51 ERA in 106 starts. He made the All-Star team in 2003, when he was 18-6.

He had shoulder surgery and missed the 2007 season, and a shoulder tear forced him to miss the next season. Prior spent last year in the minors with his hometown San Diego Padres.

Flyers manager Paul Abbott says Prior will be a setup man. Prior says he wants to pitch in competitive games and see where it takes him.