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Rangers receive LHP Pedro Figueroa on waiver claim from Tampa Bay; RHP Chaz Roe designated for assignment

Lefty has appeared for Oakland in each of past two seasons

The Texas Rangers announced this afternoon that the club has been awarded left-handed pitcher Pedro Figueroa on a waiver claim from the Tampa Bay Rays. To make room on the 40-man roster for Figueroa, the club has designated right-handed pitcher Chaz Roe for assignment.

Figueroa, 28, was placed on waivers by Tampa Bay on Monday to make room for new signee Grant Balfour. He had been acquired by the Rays in another waiver claim from Oakland on January 7. Figueroa has made 24 relief appearances for the A's the past 2 seasons, allowing 4 runs over 3.0 innings and 5 outings with Oakland in 2013. He spent the balance of last season with Sacramento (AAA), going 3-4 with a 4.10 ERA (27 ER/59.1 IP) and 2 saves in 46 games/one start. In his 51 total appearances in the majors and minors last year, Figueroa held left-handed batters to a .229 (25-109) average with a .671 OPS figure.

The Dominican native originally signed with Oakland as a free agent in 2003 and was rated by Baseball America as a top 5 A's prospect prior to the 2010 campaign. He pitched for Licey in the Dominican Winter League this offseason, including 3 appearances in the postseason for the eventual league champion.

Roe, 27, was acquired by Texas in a waiver claim from Arizona on November 1. He made his major league debut with the Diamondbacks last season, going 1-0 with a 4.03 ERA (10 ER/22.1 IP) over 21 games and 4 stints. The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release, or outright Roe to the minor leagues.

With these transactions, the Rangers still have a full 40-man roster.

Read More: Texas Rangers, Chaz Roe, Pedro Figueroa