The Giants have signed 27-year old righty starter Yusmeiro Petit to a minor league deal. Petit pitched in 7 games (6 starts) in Mexico last year and he was 1-2 with a 4.17 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 with the Diamondbacks. Petit has pitched in 71 games (36 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 10-20 with a 5.57 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Petit will likely start the 2012 season in AAA-ball.

The Giants have signed 32-year old righty swinging shortstop Gil Velazquez to a minor league deal. He played in 4 games for the Angels last year and he was 4 for 6 (.500 avg, .929 OPS) with 1 RBI. Velazquez also played in 123 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 140 for 427 (.328 avg, .865 OPS) with 78 runs scored, 8 homers, 58 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He has now played in 13 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 4 for 16 (.250 avg, .528 OPS) with 2 RBIs. Velazquez will try to win a job on the Giants’ bench this spring.