The Texas Rangers today announced that the club has re-signed free agent right-handed pitcher Nick Tepesch to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. The club has also promoted Rafic Saab (pronounced rah-FEEK sahb) to Director, International Scouting.
 
Tepesch, 27, was sidelined for the entire 2015 season due to injury and surgery to correct Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, but has been throwing off the mound as part of his offseason program and is expected to be ready for spring training. He was not tendered a contract offer by the Rangers at the December 2 deadline, which made him a free agent. Tepesch has gone 9-17 with a 4.56 ERA over 42 games/39 starts in his major league career, all with Texas in 2013-14. His 39 starts over that two-season span ranked as the second-most among Rangers behind only Yu Darvish (54).
 
Tepesch made 5 appearances with 3 starts for Texas in spring training last year before he was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on March 30. He was placed on the Round Rock disabled list on April 9 with right elbow inflammation, an injury which would eventually land him on the Rangers' 15-day disabled list on April 21, retroactive to March 30, when his option was voided. He was transferred to the team's 60-day disabled list on April 27 and had surgery to correct Thoracic Outlet Syndrome on his right side performed by Dr. Greg Pearl on August 19 in Dallas.
 
Saab was most recently promoted to the club's Director, Latin America Operations in 2014. He joined the organization in 2006 as a scout in Venezuela and later earned a promotion to scouting supervisor in the country. Saab has been involved in all major signings in Latin America and, as a Venezuelan scout, was responsible for the signings of current Rangers Rougned Odor and Martin Perez. In his new role, Saab will continue to work out of Venezuela.
 
BASEBALL AMERICA NAMES TOP 10 RANGERS PROSPECTS: Yesterday, Baseball America named its Top 10 Rangers prospects entering the 2016 season. The Rangers' Top 10, in order: 3B/OF Joey Gallo, OF Lewis Brinson, OF Nomar Mazara, RHP Luis Ortiz, RHP Dillon Tate, OF Eric Jenkins, SS/3B Josh Morgan, 2B Andy Ibanez, OF Leodys Taveras, RHP Michael Matuella.