Rangers sign Bard to Minor League deal
Former Red Sox reliever is working way back from shoulder surgery
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have signed right-handed reliever Daniel Bard to a Minor League contract. A former first-round pick for the Red Sox in 2006, Bard is recovering from surgery to combat an ailment in the shoulder area known as thoracic outlet syndrome and is not expected to be ready for Spring Training.
Bard was 1-2 with a 1.93 ERA in 73 games for the Red Sox in 2010 and 2-9 with a 3.33 ERA in 70 games in '11. Boston tried to move him into the rotation in '12, and he went 5-6 with a 6.22 ERA in 10 starts and three relief appearances.
He appeared in two games for the Red Sox last season and had a 6.46 ERA in 16 games in the Minor Leagues. He walked 27 batters in 15 Minor League innings. The Cubs claimed him off waivers on Sept. 4, and he became a free agent after the season.
Bard, 28, will be a long-term project for the Rangers. Red Sox manager John Farrell said Bard still has a chance to be a good Major League pitcher, but he needs to be built up gradually.