Guillen, released by the Atlanta Braves on March 31, signed a one-year contract Wednesday as a backup for shortstop Kevin Stocker. Second baseman Miguel Cairo surrendered his No. 13 jersey so that the 15-year veteran can wear the same uniform number he's had most of his career.

McCracken missed most of last season because of a knee injury, hitting .250 with one homer and 18 RBI in 40 games. He was voted the Devil Rays' MVP in 1998, when he hit .292 with seven homers and 59 RBI.

Manager Larry Rothschild said going to Durham will give the 29-year-old center fielder the playing time he needs to fully recover from knee surgery.

"The knee is 100 percent. He just needs to play and get confidence in the knee," Rothschild said.

"I don't question that he will be back here before too long ... Quinton was our best player two years ago, and the only thing that stopped him last year was the knee. Now it's just a question of getting him back where he was two years ago. And I don't know that he's that far off."

Guillen, 36, spent the first 13 years of his career with the Chicago White Sox. He was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1985 and an All-Star in 1988, '90 and '91.