The Texas Rangers today announced that the club has received left-handed pitcher David Rollins from the Chicago Cubs on a waiver claim.
The left-hander turns 27 years old on December 21 and will be in his seventh professional season. This marks the second time in five days for Rollins to switch organizations via a waiver claim, as he was sent from the Mariners to the Cubs on November 18. He saw action with Seattle for a second straight year in 2016, allowing 8 runs over 11 relief appearances and 9.1 innings. Rollins spent the rest of the campaign with Triple-A Tacoma, going 5-0 with 2 saves, a 3.77 ERA (19 ER/45.1 IP), and 0.993 WHIP figure over 37 relief appearances.
A four-time selection in Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft, Rollins originally signed with Toronto after he was taken in the 24th round in 2011 and has also spent time in the Houston system. He began his pro career pitching primarily as a starter before moving to full-time relief work in the latter part of 2014. He owns a career 3.35 ERA over 132 games/64 starts in the minor leagues with a 1.164 WHIP while averaging 8.3 strikeouts per 9 innings. Rollins was born and resides in DeBerry, Texas, and played college ball at San Jacinto Junior College in Pasadena.
With the addition of Rollins, the Rangers' major league roster is now at the 40-man limit.