Rangers receive OF Alex Hassan on waiver claim from Oakland

Arlington, Texas - The Texas Rangers announced today that the club has received outfielder Alex Hassan (pronounced HASS-in) on a waiver claim from the Oakland Athletics and optioned him to Triple-A Round Rock of the Pacific Coast League. To make room on the 40-man roster for Hassan, the Rangers have transferred left-handed pitcher Matt Harrison from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list.

Hassan, 27, was designated for assignment by Oakland yesterday when the A's added Cody Ross to the 40-man roster. Today marks the fourth time since the end of last season that Hassan has changed clubs on a waiver claim. He was claimed by Oakland from Boston on November 17, by Baltimore from Oakland on November 20, and by Oakland from Baltimore on February 27. The A's had optioned him to Triple-A Nashville on March 29 near the end of spring training. He went 8-for-18 (.444) with 2 RBI in 9 games with Oakland during a spring that was interrupted by a strained hamstring.

The right-handed hitter made his major league debut with Boston last year, going 1-for-8 (.125) with a walk in 3 games. Hassan also batted .287 with 8 home runs and 55 RBI in 114 games with Triple-A Pawtucket in 2014. Hassan was an outfielder and pitcher while at Duke University before he was selected by Boston in the 20th round of the 2009 June draft.

Harrison was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 5, retroactive to March 27, when the season-opening roster was set. He continues to recover from spinal fusion surgery on June 3, 2014.

With today's moves, the Rangers still have a full 40-man roster, plus 5 players on the 60-day disabled list.