TAMPA -- The Rays are adding some veteran rotation depth to the organization by signing right-hander Kyle Gibson to a Minor League contract, the team announced Wednesday.

Tampa Bay plans to send Gibson to Triple-A Durham, giving him at least a few starts to get comfortable and determine if he can help the big league club.

The 37-year-old right-hander has been a reliable, durable starter for more than a decade in the Majors, making 328 starts over 13 seasons with the Twins, Rangers, Phillies, Orioles and Cardinals. He was a serviceable option for St. Louis last season, going 8-8 with a 4.24 ERA (99 ERA+ ) in 169 2/3 innings over 30 starts, and the Orioles brought him back in March to provide valuable leadership and veteran depth.

But Gibson missed Spring Training and rushed back to the Majors for the pitching-needy Orioles on April 29 after three starts in the Minors. And he struggled in his four outings with Baltimore, posting a 16.78 ERA and 2.92 WHIP. He allowed at least three runs in each start and didn’t work more than four innings in any of them, concluding with a May 17 performance during which he allowed six runs on six hits while recording only two outs.

“I think, physically, I feel good. Stuff-wise, frustratingly, feels good. Bullpens feel good. Everything’s been pretty normal,” Gibson told reporters after his final start with the Orioles. “I think these first two or three weeks have been frustrating, to say the least. Hard to find words really to go into it and to kind of voice it appropriately, honestly. Four times taking the mound feeling like you haven’t given the team a chance to win each time is a pretty big gut punch.”

The Orioles designated Gibson for assignment the next day and released him on May 20. Baltimore is responsible for the remainder of Gibson’s $5.25 million contract, so he would only be due a prorated portion of the Major League minimum salary if he returns to the big leagues.

The Rays can afford to be patient with Gibson because their rotation seems to be in a good place. Ace Shane McClanahan is still in the early stages of a throwing program after being sidelined late in Spring Training by a nerve issue in his left triceps, but 54 of the Rays’ first 55 starts have come from the quintet of Ryan Pepiot, Zack Littell, Taj Bradley, Drew Rasmussen and Shane Baz.

Right-hander Joe Boyle, who came up from Triple-A and made a hitless spot start in April , would be the next man up. He exited his most recent outing for Durham after two innings due to diminished velocity, but he hasn’t been placed on the injured list. Tampa Bay also has lefty starters Ian Seymour and Joe Rock, members of the club’s 40-man roster, in Triple-A.