Rangers Notes: DeShields Earns Texas Rookie Honors

Delino DeShields stole 25 bases for Texas last season while leading the ballclub with 10 triples.

Outfielder Delino DeShields was named the 2015 Texas Rangers Rookie of the Year by the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the BBWAA, wrapping up a breakthrough campaign in which he emerged as an everyday player and helped spark the top of the lineup.

Acquired last winter as a Rule 5 Draft pick from Houston, DeShields started the season on the bench behind incumbent center fielder Leonys Martin. By the beginning of May, however, Martin’s playing time had become more sporadic, and DeShields saw his batting average climb as he received more starts.

Martin made what turned out to be his final start in a Texas uniform on Aug. 2, and he had just one more at-bat the rest of the season.

DeShields, meanwhile, saw action in a total of 121 games for the American League West champion Rangers, hitting .261 with 25 stolen bases, 22 doubles and a team-high 10 triples.

He also drove in 37 runs and showed terrific plate discipline by drawing 53 walks, the most by an A.L. rookie last year and trailing only National League rookies Joc Pederson (101) and Kris Bryant (77).

Other than a mid-summer stint on the disabled list with a strained hamstring, the 23-year-old DeShields spent the bulk of the season as Texas’ regular leadoff batter, allowing Shin-Soo Choo to move further down in the lineup.

Mazara Headlines Roster Additions

The Rangers added four players to their 40-man roster Nov. 20 – outfielder Nomar Mazara and three pitchers – in order to protect them from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.

Mazara is considered to be the team’s top minor-league prospect after Joey Gallo reached the majors last summer while Jorge Alfaro and Jake Thompson were traded to Philadelphia.

Joining Mazara as first-time 40-man roster additions were left-hander Yohander Mendez and righties Jose Leclerc and Connor Sadzeck.

Texas also traded right-hander Spencer Patton to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for 19-year-old middle infielder Frandy Delarosa.

Profar, Brinson Named to All-AFL Squad

Former top prospect Jurickson Profar was one of two players from the Rangers’ system selected for the All-Arizona Fall League Team by MLB, along with 21-year-old outfielder Lewis Brinson.

Profar was in line to succeed Ian Kinsler at second base when Texas traded Kinsler to Detroit, but he spent much of the last two seasons coming back from a right shoulder injury instead.

Limited to designated hitter duties in the AFL, Profar hit .267 across 20 games for the Surprise Saguaros with six doubles and 20 runs batted in.

Brinson, who was the Rangers’ first-round pick in the 2012 draft, batted .300 for Surprise and connected for three triples with five stolen bases.

Gimenez Signed; Jones, Tepesch Non-Tendered

The Rangers and catcher Chris Gimenez agreed to a one-year, $975,000 contract this week while outfielder James Jones and right-hander Nick Tepesch were non-tendered by the ballclub, thus becoming free agents.

The 32-year-old Gimenez spent the first four months of last season at Triple-A Round Rock, but he joined the big-league club down the stretch when Carlos Corporan went down with a bruised thumb.

In another roster move, third baseman/outfielder Patrick Kivlehan was acquired from Seattle to complete the November trade that sent Leonys Martin to the Mariners.

Rangers Notes: Hamels Acquired in Eight-Player Deal

Cole Hamels pitched into the eighth inning but received a no-decision in his first Texas start on Saturday.

The Rangers reeled in the biggest catch of last week’s non-waiver trade deadline when they acquired starter Cole Hamels as part of an eight-player swap with Philadelphia.

The Phillies also sent relief pitcher Jake Diekman and cash to Texas in the deal, while the Rangers’ return package included Matt Harrison and five minor-leaguers – Jorge Alfaro, Alec Asher, Jerad Eickhoff, Jake Thompson and Nick Williams.

The trade, which was agreed to on Wednesday but not finalized until Friday, came only after Hamels used his limited no-trade clause to block a potential deal with the Astros.

“I have a lot of catching up to do,” Hamels said after joining his new team Friday, “but with this group of guys I think it’s going to be pretty easy because they’re true competitors, and it’s fun to watch them on the field and know that those are guys that are going to be behind me.”

A three-time National League All-Star, Hamels posted a career record of 114-90 with a 3.30 ERA across parts of 10 seasons for the Phillies, throwing a no-hitter on July 25 against the Cubs in his final start with Philadelphia.

Making his A.L. debut in a Texas uniform two nights ago, Hamels pitched into the eighth inning and was lifted with a 7-4 lead, but Tanner Scheppers allowed three consecutive run-scoring hits as San Francisco rallied to tie the game.

After a scoreless tenth inning, Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt each connected for solo home runs in the top of the eleventh to lead the Giants to a 9-7 comeback victory.

Although the Rangers’ bullpen faltered and denied Hamels a chance at a win in his first game with Texas, manager Jeff Banister was still pleased with the results put forth by the club’s new No. 1 starter.

“Given everything involved,” Banister said, “coming off the no-hitter, the volume of pitches he threw in the no-hitter, everything swirling around the trade and the travel getting here … I really felt like he threw the ball well.”

Following Hamels in the Rangers’ revamped rotation, left-hander Martin Perez delivered the best performance of his injury-shortened season on the way to a 2-1 win in Sunday’s rubber game. He retired the first 14 batters he faced before Brandon Belt and Justin Maxwell reached, respectively, on an error and an infield single in the top of the fifth.

Perez was pulled after allowing a one-out double to Angel Pagan in the ninth, and the Texas bullpen had to work around trouble before Hunter Pence grounded into a game-ending double play.

Dyson, Wilson Added to Roster

While the trade for Hamels grabbed most of the headlines, Texas also made a pair of under-the-radar moves Friday aimed at strengthening the team’s relief pitching and catching corps.

Right-hander Sam Dyson was acquired from Miami in exchange for backstop Tomas Telis and minor-league lefty Cody Ege, and veteran catcher Bobby Wilson was picked up on a waiver claim from Tampa Bay.

Dyson, 27, was activated Saturday and made back-to-back appearances against the Giants, including a scoreless outing Sunday in which he earned his first career save. The 32-year-old Wilson, meanwhile, had two hits and caught all 11 innings in his Texas debut on Saturday.

Shoulder Strain Sends Chirinos to DL

Both of the Rangers’ Opening Day catchers are now on the disabled list after Robinson Chirinos was placed on the 15-day DL Saturday (retroactive to Friday) with a strained left shoulder.

Backup catcher Carlos Corporan has also been on the disabled list since mid-July with a sprain in his left thumb, leaving the ballclub’s pitch-calling duties to Chris Gimenez – who had his contract purchased Friday from Triple-A Round Rock – and Bobby Wilson.

In other roster moves, both Wandy Rodriguez and Ross Ohlendorf were designated for assignment by Texas over the past week, and Ohlendorf was placed on unconditional release waivers on Friday.

In the bullpen, late-inning reliever Keone Kela was optioned to Double-A Frisco Saturday in an effort to limit his workload. Kela had averaged a total of 44 innings pitched in each of the past two seasons in the minors, and he has already thrown 43 and two-thirds innings for the Rangers this year.

Rangers Notes: ‘Stros Slaughter Texas at Minute Maid

Manager Jeff Banister goes to the mound to make a pitching change during the Rangers’ 10-0 defeat to the Astros Sunday in Houston.

Following a 7-6 victory Saturday that featured a benches-clearing scuffle and seemed to ignite a fire under the team, Texas received a harsh dose of solid pitching by All-Star starter Dallas Keuchel in a 10-0 loss to the Astros on Sunday.

Keuchel set a new career high with 13 strikeouts over seven innings of work and improved his season record to 12-4. While Houston stranded 10 runners on base in the ballgame, it was also able to push 10 across the plate against Yovani Gallardo and Anthony Ranaudo.

Third baseman Luis Valbuena drove in four runs for the Astros, and outfielders Colby Rasmus and Preston Tucker each added a two-run homer in the blowout.

On Saturday, Texas rode a quality start from Colby Lewis to a 7-6 win at Minute Maid Park, although the bullpen left much to be desired in allowing four runs over the final two innings.

Rougned Odor provided Lewis with an early advantage­­­ when he connected for a two-run homer off former Ranger Scott Feldman in the top of the third.

The Texas lead would grow to 5-1 before Houston scored three runs in the eighth, the first of which came home on an RBI double into left-center field by Jose Altuve. Marwin Gonzalez appeared to be tagged out by catcher Robinson Chirinos on a close play at the plate, but Tony Randazzo’s safe call was upheld after the Rangers issued a challenge.

In the top of the ninth, Astros catcher Hank Conger took exception to the amount of time Rougned Odor was taking to get into the batter’s box for his plate appearance, and words were exchanged between the two before both benches emptied.

Texas manager Jeff Banister was visibly upset with Houston skipper A.J. Hinch during the mild quarrel, and he said after the game that “our guys are not going to be pushed around.”

Conger would hit a two-run shot off Shawn Tolleson with no outs in the bottom of the inning, but Tolleson was able to retire the next three batters to nail down the 7-6 win for Texas.

Prior to last week’s All-Star Game at Great American Ballpark, the Rangers had dropped four out of five games against N.L. West division opponents Arizona and San Diego.

In the midsummer classic, designated hitter Prince Fielder went 1-for-1 with an RBI single and a run-scoring sacrifice fly as part of the American League’s 6-3 victory over the National League.

Feliz Signed by Tigers; Detwiler to Braves

Former closer Neftali Feliz cleared waivers and was granted free agency after being designated for assignment earlier this month, and he was picked up by Detroit to join its depleted bullpen on Jul. 11.

Left-hander Ross Detwiler, meanwhile, was DFA’d and released by Texas before signing a deal with the Atlanta Braves on Friday. Detwiler began the season as a starter but was moved to the bullpen after going 0-5 with a 6.95 ERA over his first seven starts.

His spot on the active roster was taken by right-handed reliever Roman Mendez, who was then sent back to Triple-A Round Rock when lefty Martin Perez was activated from the 60-day disabled list.

Catcher Carlos Corporan was placed on the 15-day DL Friday (retroactive to Jul. 13) with a sprained left thumb, an injury he had been dealing with for weeks but aggravated while taking batting practice against Matt Harrison.

Twenty-four-year-old Tomas Telis was recalled from Round Rock to take Corporan’s spot on the active roster.

Rangers Could Pursue Hamels

Left-handed starter Cole Hamels is one of the top names expected to be moved before the Jul. 31 non-waiver trade deadline, and Texas – despite its lackluster showing in the standings – is among the teams considered a potential suitor.

While Hamels, 31, would instantly bolster the top of the rotation, he will also command a steep asking price as far as a return package. Infielder Joey Gallo is considered to be off-limits, but catcher Jorge Alfaro or outfielder Nomar Mazara could be included as part of a deal with Philadelphia.

If Texas ends up as a seller instead of a buyer at the deadline, starting pitchers Yovani Gallardo, Colby Lewis and Wandy Rodriguez would all be viable options to get traded.

Rangers Notes: Texas Reaches Deals with Top Four Picks

In his first full season as a starter, Dillon Tate went 8-5 with an earned run average of 2.26 and 111 strikeouts for UC-Santa Barbara this year.

The Rangers have agreed to terms with each of their top four selections from this month’s amateur draft, including right-handed pitcher Dillon Tate, who was officially signed on Jun. 12 and received a bonus of $4.2 million.

Outfielder Eric Jenkins (second round, $2 million), right hander Michael Matuella (third round, $2 million) and right-hander Jake Lemoine (fourth round, $528,000) also agreed to terms on deals with Texas.

Tate, 21, was the first pitcher selected in the draft after shortstops were taken with each of the first three picks, and he has been assigned to the short-season Class-A Spokane Indians.

“I’m really excited and [blessed] to have this go as smoothly as it did,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of work to do and I’m ready to get to work on things. You often hear pitchers talk about fastball command. That’s the first step for me.”

After working out of the bullpen his freshman and sophomore seasons at UCSB, Tate moved into the starting rotation this spring and struck out 111 batters in 103-plus innings pitched.

“You’ve got a guy with a fresh arm, an electric arm and a guy willing to put in the work and ask the right questions to improve,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “No doubt, a definite starter for us.”

Jenkins and Lemoine, meanwhile, were both assigned to the Arizona Summer League Rangers while Matuella was added to the Spokane roster but will stay in North Texas as he recovers from reconstructive Tommy John surgery.

Odor Recalled as DeShields Hits DL

Infielder Rougned Odor was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock last Monday when outfielder Delino DeShields was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring, an injury he suffered during the previous day’s loss to Minnesota.

DeShields appeared to strain the hamstring while chasing down an eventual triple by Shane Robinson in the left-center field gap.

On Thursday, right-hander Anthony Ranaudo was called up from Triple-A to make a spot start against the Dodgers, with infielder Kyle Blanks heading to the DL (Achilles tendinitis) in a corresponding roster move.

Ranaudo was optioned back to Round Rock the following day as left-hander Alex Claudio was recalled, and Jake Smolinski was designated for assignment when outfielder Ryan Rua was activated from the 60-day disabled list.

Smolinski, who batted .133 (8-for-60) with 12 runs scored in 35 games for Texas this season, was then claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.

Alfaro Likely Out for Season

Catching prospect Jorge Alfaro will is expected to miss the rest of the year after suffering a “significant left ankle injury”, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.

Alfaro, 22, was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 3 prospect in the Rangers’ organization behind infielder/outfielder Joey Gallo and right-handed pitcher Jake Thompson heading into this season.

Grant reports that Alfaro has been wearing a walking boot, and Texas director of player development Mike Daly said “he could be out for some significant time.”

Rangers Notes: Gallardo Tabbed for Opening Day Start

Fort Worth native Yovani Gallardo will get the nod for Texas on April 6 against the Oakland Athletics.

Texas manager Jeff Banister announced Thursday that right-hander Yovani Gallardo will draw the starting assignment for the Rangers when they open the season Apr. 6 in Oakland.

It will be the sixth consecutive Opening Day start for Gallardo, who started each of the past five openers for the Milwaukee Brewers. The 29-year-old had spent his entire career with the Brewers before he was acquired by Texas in a four-player trade in January.

Gallardo has struggled in his three Cactus League outings this spring, but he has the best recent track record of the healthy starters in camp, winning 12 or more games for five consecutive years with Milwaukee before a slight drop to eight victories last season.

He becomes the Rangers’ de facto No. 1 starter with Yu Darvish out for the year following reconstructive arm surgery and southpaw Derek Holland slowed by shoulder soreness this spring.

“His experience, just how he has been pitching,” Banister said of Gallardo. “This guy has all the ingredients that go into being an Opening Day starter.”

Across 214 appearances spanning parts of eight major-league seasons, Gallardo has a career record of 89-64 with a 3.69 earned run average and 1,226 strikeouts, averaging better than 14 wins per year from 2009-13.

“No matter if it’s the first time or how many times, it is an honor and a privilege to get the ball on day one,” he said. “There are a lot of guys here who are capable of doing it. That’s why they call it a staff.”

Gallardo is expected to be joined in the rotation by Holland, right-hander Colby Lewis and left-hander Ross Detwiler, who was told on Thursday that he will break camp with the ballclub.

“I feel good about the way the spring has gone,” Detwiler said. “I still have work to do; it’s a long season. I want to get off to a good start and stay healthy.”

The final spot in the Texas rotation has come down to a battle among right-handers Lisalverto Bonilla, Nick Martinez, Anthony Ranaudo and Nick Tepesch.

Prospects Gallo, Gonzalez Headline Cuts

Two of the ballclub’s top prospects – third baseman Joey Gallo and right-handed pitcher Alex “Chi Chi” Gonzalez – were trimmed from the spring roster as part of a series of transactions this week.

Gallo was one of four players (along with first baseman Kyle Blanks, outfielder Jared Hoying and right-hander David Martinez) reassigned to minor-league camp on Monday, when the Rangers also released lefty Joe Beimel while optioning catcher Jorge Alfaro to Frisco and righty Spencer Patton and catcher Tomas Telis to Round Rock.

Following a solid five-inning performance against the Reds, Gonzalez was shipped out to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday as infielder Hanser Alberto and right-hander Ross Wolf were sent back to minor-league camp.

Richardson to Undergo Back Surgery

Outfielder Antoan Richardson is scheduled to have surgery and will be sidelined for up to two months after he was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his back earlier this week.

The injury to Richardson could pave the way for Rule 5 Draft pick Delino DeShields to make the Rangers’ Opening Day roster as one of their extra outfielders, with speed on the bases as DeShields’ most valuable asset.