Rangers designate C Chris Gimenez for assignment; purchase contract of RHP Daniel McCutchen

Arlington, Texas - The Texas Rangers today have designated catcher Chris Gimenez (pronounced JIM-ehn-ehz) for assignment and purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Daniel McCutchen (#39) from Triple-A Round Rock. Additionally, left-handed pitcher Michael Kirkman has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Round Rock.

McCutchen, 31, will be looking to make his Texas debut. He signed a minor league contact with the Rangers in December and was added to major league camp on March 25. McCutchen was 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA (6 ER/6.0 IP) in 5 appearances for the Rangers this spring. He spent last season in the Baltimore organization, combining to go 4-2 with a 3.43 ERA (23 ER/60.1 IP) in 25 games/7 starts with Bowie (AA) and Norfolk (AAA). He has a 4.77 career ERA over 108 games/15 starts in the majors, all with Pittsburgh from 2009-12. He established career highs in games (73) and innings (84.2) with the Pirates in 2011. McCutchen was born in McKinney, Texas and graduated from high school in Norman, Oklahoma before pitching at the University of Oklahoma.

Gimenez, 31, was received by the Rangers from Oakland on a waiver claim on March 28. He was on the Rangers Opening Day roster, but did not appear in yesterday's contest. He had been acquired by Oakland on a waiver claim from Tampa Bay on December 20, 2013, and was in major league spring training camp with the A's this year. The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release, or outright Gimenez to the minor leagues.

Kirkman had been designated for assignment by the Rangers on Friday when the club claimed Chris Gimenez. He has spent his entire professional career in the Rangers organization since he was selected by the club in the 5th round of the 2005 June draft.

With these moves, the Rangers still have 39 players on the 40-man roster plus four players on the 60-day disabled list.