Rangers claim Roe off waivers from D-backs
Right-hander a candidate for bullpen spot heading into next season
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have claimed pitcher Chaz Roe off waivers from the D-backs, and they added him to their 40-man roster as a candidate for the bullpen next season.
Roe, whose great uncle is Hall of Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski, pitched in 21 games for Arizona in 2013, going 1-0 with a 4.03 ERA. In 22 1/3 innings, he allowed 18 hits and 13 walks while striking out 24.
Roe, 27, was originally the 32nd overall pick by the Rockies in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft out of Lexington (Ky.) Lafayette High School and is from the same hometown as Rangers reliever Robbie Ross. Roe was traded to the Mariners on Dec. 2, 2010, for infielder Jose Lopez.
Roe was 0-7 with a 6.59 ERA in 33 games at Triple-A Tacoma in 2011 and became a free agent after the season. He was then suspended for 50 games after testing positive for amphetamines. Roe spent 2012 with the Laredo (Texas) Lemurs in the independent American Association, going 3-2 with a 1.47 ERA in 49 games.
The D-backs signed Roe to a Minor League contract in September 2012, and he was with them for four stints in 2013. He also went 0-1 with a 1.11 ERA in 25 Minor League relief appearances.
Roe relies mainly on a fastball and a slider. His fastball averaged 91.3 mph last season.