Verrett designated for assignment to make room for Rodriguez
Rangers long reliever was 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in four appearances
ANAHEIM -- The Rangers ended their trial with long reliever Logan Verrett, designating him for assignment on Friday to make room for Wandy Rodriguez.
Verrett was a Rule 5 Draft pick, so he must go through waivers. If he clears, then he has to be offered back to the Mets for $25,000. The Orioles took him in the Rule 5 Draft and the Rangers claimed him on waivers at the end of Spring Training. He was 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in four appearances.
"We like what we saw from Logan," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "He is a guy who needs to continue to work on his fastball command. It looks like the role he is in, he has the capability of pitching in that role. I think he is only going to get better as he pitches. But he is going to go as far the command of the fastball goes."
The move leaves the Rangers with a seven-man bullpen. They still have Kyuji Fujikawa on the disabled list, but he is getting closer to being ready. He pitched a scoreless inning for Triple A Round Rock on Thursday and is scheduled to pitch again Saturday.
Fujikawa, who had 219 career saves in Japan, has been sidelined since the end of Spring Training with a strained groin muscle. His return could depend on when the Rangers have a need in the bullpen. They don't right now, mainly because they fill the need for two long relievers in Anthony Bass and Stolmy Pimentel. Bass has a Minor League option left but Pimentel does not.
Fujikawa also has a Minor League option.
"The number of pitchers we have in our bullpen, that's who we have right now," Banister said. "The guys in Triple-A and Double-A, they have to continue to pitch. You assess your needs as well as how [Fujikawa] is coming back from his injury and how is he throwing the ball."
Worth noting
• To replace Rodriguez in the Triple-A Round Rock rotation, Jerad Eickhoff was promoted from Double-A Frisco. He is ranked as the 21st-best prospect in the Rangers organization by MLB.Com.
• Adrian Beltre's home run on Wednesday was the 397th of his career, moving him into 55th place all-time.
• Rodriguez will be the 17th pitcher used by the Rangers, most by any team in the Major Leagues. The Rangers set a Major League record by using 40 pitchers last season.