Three years ago, a back injury limited Texas Rangers reliever Francisco Cordero to three innings of work.

Now he's an all-star closer with a new two-year, $8 million US contract extension signed on Thursday.

Cordero, who is making $2 million in 2004, would have been eligible for salary arbitration at the end of the season and free agency in 2005.

The hard-throwing right-hander received a $250,000 signing bonus for signing a contract that will pay him $3.75 million next season and $4 million in 2006, said agent Bean Stringfellow.

The American League-leading Rangers (56-43) also have an option for 2007 that calls for a $6 million salary if he's still the closer and $5 million if he's not. If Texas doesn't pick up the option, Cordero would get a $500,000 buyout.

"They [Rangers] came to us and we've been exploring it for the last month," Stringfellow said. "Security was a big deal to him."

Known as "Coco," Cordero entered Thursday's game against Oakland with 30 saves in 32 chances. He's 2-0 with a 1.87 earned-run average, having allowed only 30 hits in 43 1/3 innings while striking out 48 and walking 20.

The 29-year-old made the all-star team earlier this month, an impressive feat for someone in his first season in the role.

"It's been an unbelievable season, not only for me, but the whole team," Cordero said recently.

Cordero arrived in Texas from Detroit in November 1999 as part of the nine-player trade involving outfielder Juan Gonzalez. Only 22 at the time, he was viewed as having closer's stuff.

Also on Thursday, Rangers officials were expected to address the status of assistant general manager Grady Fuson, whose future has been in limbo since team owner Tom Hicks said recently Fuson won't be promoted to GM next season.

with files from Associated Press