The Texas Rangers today announced the following transactions:
• Acquired right-handed pitcher Jason Grilli and cash considerations from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Minor League outfielder Eduard Pinto.
• Activated RHP Tony Barnette (#43) from 10-day disabled list for Sunday's game in Chicago.
• Optioned RHP Tanner Scheppers to Triple-A Round Rock
• Designated right-handed pitcher Preston Claiborne, who is on option at Round Rock, for assignment to make room for Grilli on the 40-man roster.
Grilli is expected to join the Rangers on Monday in Arlington, and the club will make a corresponding 25-man roster move at that time.
The 40-year-old Grilli was 2-4, 7.97 (24 H/17 R-16 ER/26.2 IP/23 SO) with one save in 26 games with Toronto in 2017 before being designated for assignment on June 27. He allowed runs in 8 of 26 outings, including just 2 of final 13 appearances beginning May 11. Opponents are hitting .279, .250 by LHB and .293 by RHB.
Grilli is 34-46, 4.18 with 79 saves in 575 career appearances with the Marlins (2000-01), White Sox (2004), Tigers (2005-08), Rockies (2008-09), Rangers (2009), Pirates (2011-14), Angels (2014), Braves (2015-16), and Blue Jays (2016-17). He was an N.L. All-Star in 2013 when he posted 33 saves for Pittsburgh and saved 24 games for Atlanta in 2015.
Grilli was acquired by Texas from the Colorado in June 2009 and was 2-2, 4.78 in 30 games as a setup reliever for the Rangers the rest of that season.
Pinto is hitting .311 with 4 homers and 18 RBI in 46 games for High-A Down East in 2017. The left-handed hitter is in his sixth pro season after being signed as a non-drafted free agent six years ago today.
Claiborne has spent most of 2017 with Round Rock (2-0, 1.37, 13 SV, 26 G). He was purchased by Texas from Round Rock on June 22 and allowed 3 runs in 2.0 innings in his lone appearance on June 26 in Cleveland before being optioned on June 29.
Barnette was placed on the 10-day DL on June 16, retroactive to June 15, with a right ring finger sprain. He worked 3.0 scoreless innings in 2 outings on injury rehab assignment at Round Rock, most recently on June 29 (2.0 IP). Barnette is 1-1, 7.23 in 23 relief appearances with the Rangers in 2017. Scheppers was purchased from Round Rock on June 19 and was 0-1, 6.75 in 5 games.