Rangers sign Galarraga, Bard to Minors deals

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have signed right-handed pitcher Armando Galarraga to a Minor League contract, but without an invitation to Major League camp. Galarraga will be assigned to the Minor League camp officially, although that does not preclude him being used in Cactus League or "B" games.

The Rangers have also officially announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Daniel Bard to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League camp. He underwent surgery on his right shoulder for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome on Jan. 2, and is not expected to be ready for Spring Training.

Galarraga's best season in the Major Leagues was with the Tigers in 2008, when he went 13-7 with a 3.73 ERA in 28 starts and two relief appearances. On June 2, 2010, he started for the Tigers against the Indians and retired the first 26 batters he faced.

With one out to go, Galarraga got Jason Donald to hit a routine grounder to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Galarraga went to cover first, beat Donald to the bag and took the throw from Cabrera in what appeared to be plenty of time. But first-base umpire Jim Joyce ruled Donald safe on an infield single that ended the perfect game. Joyce admitted after the game he missed the call.

Galarraga's career has declined since that day, and he is 5-16 with a 5.31 ERA in his last 34 Major League starts. He was 6-8 with a 3.64 ERA in 23 starts at Triple-A Louisville and Colorado Springs. The Rangers originally acquired him from the Nationals on Dec. 8, 2005, along with outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge for Alfonso Soriano. Galarraga pitched in three games for the Rangers in 2007 before being traded to the Tigers on Feb. 5, 2008.

Bard has a career record of 10-19 with a 3.67 ERA in 211 Major League appearances with the Red Sox from 2009-13. He was acquired by the Cubs on Sept. 4 last season and then became a free agent this winter.

Worth noting:

• The Rangers have officially invited infielder Rougned Odor to Major League camp as a non-roster player. Texas 18 non-roster players coming to camp.

• Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos had to drop out of the Caribbean World Series after being hit by a pitch on his left hand Sunday night. Chirinos, who was playing for Venezuela, suffered a contusion, and X-rays were negative. He is expected to come to Arlington for further examination.

• The Rangers have signed former outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin to a Minor League contract with the intent of turning him into a pitcher. Lin, who is from Taiwan, played in nine games with the Red Sox in 2012, but was noted throughout his Minor League career for having an outstanding throwing arm. This is a similar experiment to the Rangers taking Alexi Ogando as an outfielder in the 2005 Minor League Rule 5 Draft and turning him into a pitcher.

• Pitcher Tyler Tufts has been released from the Minor Leagues.