Rangers purchase contract of RHP Scott Baker; Option OF Daniel Robertson to Triple-A Round Rock

The Texas Rangers announced this afternoon that the club has purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Scott Baker (#25) from Triple-A Round Rock. To make room for Baker on the active roster, the club has optioned outfielder Daniel Robertson to Round Rock. To make room on the 40-man roster for Baker, the team has transferred left-handed pitcher Pedro Figueroa from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list.

Baker, 32, was officially signed by Texas to a minor league contract on March 28 and has spent the entire season at Round Rock, going 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA (14 ER/38.0 IP) in 6 games/starts. He last pitched in a start on Friday vs. New Orleans (6.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R-4 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR, 98 pitches/67 strikes). He has pitched at least 6.0 innings in all 6 starts.

Prior to signing with the Rangers, Baker spent the entire spring in Seattle's major league camp as a non-roster invitee, going 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA (9 ER/12.0 IP) in 4 Cactus League games/starts for the Mariners. He was released on March 25. He had 'Tommy John' ligament replacement surgery in April 2012 while in the Twins organization and returned in September 2013 to make 3 starts with the Cubs. He has a career record of 63-48 with a 4.15 ERA over 163 games/159 starts in the major leagues with Minnesota (2005-11) and Chicago-NL (2013). Baker, who pitched at Oklahoma State University, had career highs with 15 wins and 200.0 innings for the Twins in 2009.

Robertson was acquired in a minor league trade with San Diego on April 23 and had his contract purchased by the Rangers that day. He has batted .182 (2-11) in 6 games/one start with Texas this season in his first major league action.

Figueroa left his appearance on April 22 at Oakland after hitting a batter on his first and only pitch of that outing. He was placed on the disabled list the next day. Figueroa had Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, as well as a flexor tendon repair, on his left elbow performed by Rangers Team Physician Dr. Keith Meister on April 30.

The Rangers still have a full 40-man roster.