Rangers purchase contracts of Hanser Alberto, Jorge Alfaro, Jerad Eickhoff, and Luke Jackson from Minor Leagues

Arlington, Texas - The Texas Rangers tonight announced the following roster moves:

--Purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Luke Jackson from Triple-A Round Rock.

--Purchased the contracts of infielder Hanser Alberto, catcher Jorge Alfaro, and right-handed pitcher

 Jerad Eickhoff from Double-A Frisco.

--Designated outfielder/first baseman Jim Adduci for assignment.

--Placed right-handed pitcher Miles Mikolas and left-handed pitcher Aaron Poreda on unconditional release waivers for the purpose of both playing abroad in Asia in 2015. Each player should finalize the signing with the respective club in the next few days.

--Traded outfielder Daniel Robertson to the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named later or cash.

Alberto, 22, won a 2014 Rawlings Gold Glove as the top defensive shortstop in the minors, splitting the campaign between Myrtle Beach (High-A) and Frisco (AA). He rated statistically as the best defensive shortstop among Texas League shortstops with at least 50 games played, and was also chosen as the Rangers Minor League Defender of the Month for July. The Dominican Republic native combined to bat .273 (120-440) with 21 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, and 58 RBI in 120 games with the Pelicans and 'Riders. Alberto was signed as a non-drafted free agent on November 23, 2009 by Rodolfo Rosario, Willy Espinal, and Mike Daly.

Alfaro, 21, combined to bat .261 (127-486) with 17 home runs and 87 RBI in 121 games between Myrtle Beach and Frisco. He was a Carolina League midseason and postseason All-Star selection, ranking among the league leaders in both RBI (3rd) and home runs (T6th, 13). The backstop also threw out 19 of 72 (26.4%) attempted basestealers, good for the 3rd-highest percentage in the circuit. The Columbia native was the starting catcher for the World Squad at the All-Star Futures Game in July. Alfaro was signed as a non-drafted free agent on January 19, 2010 by Don Welke, Rodolfo Rosario, and Hamilton Sarabia.

Eickhoff, 24, led all Double-A pitchers and Texas farmhands with 144 strikeouts in 2014, going 10-9 with a 4.08 ERA (70 ER/154.1 IP) over 27 games/26 starts for Frisco. In addition to leading the circuit in strikeouts, Eickhoff ranked among Texas League leaders in innings (3rd, 154.1), WHIP (4th, 1.17), and wins (T8th, 10). He was selected in the 15th round of the 2011 draft out of Olney Central (IL) Community College.

Jackson, 23, combined to go 9-5 with a 5.40 ERA (74 ER/123.1 IP) and 126 strikeouts over 26 games/24 starts with Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock. He was selected for the Texas League All-Star Game and started the contest for the South team. He was tabbed the 7th-best prospect in the Texas League by Baseball America and led the circuit in both wins and strikeouts at the time of his promotion to Round Rock. Jackson finished with the 3rd-most strikeouts among all Texas minor leaguers. The Florida native was selected in the supplemental first round (45th overall) of the 2010 June draft.

Adduci batted .168 with one home run and 8 RBI in 44 games for Texas last season, making the Opening Day roster before missing the bulk of the season due to injuries. The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release, or outright Adduci to the minor leagues.

Mikolas went 2-5 with a 6.44 ERA (41 ER/57.1 IP) in 10 games/starts for Texas last season, his first major league action as a starter. He did not pitch after a start on August 25 due to right shoulder fatigue. Poreda went 2-1 with a 5.91 ERA (14 ER/21.1 IP) over 26 relief appearances for Texas in 2014, his first major league action since 2009.

Robertson batted .271 over 70 games with Texas in his major league debut last season, spending all but 11 days on the major league roster after he was acquired in an April 23 trade with San Diego.

With tonight's moves, the Rangers still have a full 40-man roster.