Rangers fortify 'pen; Gallardo still in rotation

ARLINGTON -- In addition to acquiring left-handed starter Cole Hamels, the Rangers made two significant additions to their bullpen this week.

They picked up left-handed reliever Jake Diekman from the Phillies in the same trade, and they acquired right-hander Sam Dyson from the Marlins just before Friday's non-waiver Trade Deadline. Both Diekman and Dyson are experienced power relievers with fastballs that are clocked around 95-96 mph.

Diekman is a four-year veteran who averaged 12.68 strikeouts per nine innings in 2012 -- 10th best all-time in one season by a left-handed reliever -- and 11.68 strikeouts per nine innings over the past four seasons. The problem is he has walked 4.93 batters per nine innings. But the Rangers are hoping to harness his control and get a second left-hander in the bullpen to go with Sam Freeman.

Diekman came through with an impressive relief outing in his first appearance as a Ranger in Friday's 6-3 win, going 1 2/3 scoreless innings, using only 18 pitches.

Video: SF@TEX: Diekman retires Pagan in Rangers debut

Said manager Jeff Banister: "That's what we got him for. He let us know that he was available and ready to pitch. We saw the need, got him warmed up and brought in, and I'm glad we did."

Dyson pitched in 44 games with the Marlins this season and is 3-3 with a 3.68 ERA. Opponents are hitting .247 off him and he has a 1.32 WHIP.

"Both of these guys have pitched some significant innings toward the end of the game," Banister said. "It gives us a couple of power arms and different looks, adds a left-hander out there than can be as challenging as anybody against left-handers. With Dyson, the power stuff coming out of the bullpen to close out these ballgames we need to close out.

To acquire Dyson, the Rangers traded catcher Tomas Telis and Minor League pitcher Cody Ege.

Gallardo stays with Rangers
The Trade Deadline passed and Yovani Gallardo is still with the Rangers. There was interest from other clubs down to Friday's Deadline, but in the end, the Rangers decided to keep Gallardo.

"We did get calls on Yovani, among other players on our club," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "The approach we took was if there was a good baseball trade, truly a great baseball trade that we could take to ownership and say this makes the Rangers better, we would consider it, and certainly factoring in what it would mean to the club right now.

"We just didn't get there. We kind of had an idea what it would have to look like, and it would have had to be a good baseball trade. That's the threshold we had set."

Gallardo's next start is scheduled for Tuesday against the Astros. He will be a free agent at the end of the season and the Rangers could get Draft-pick compensation if they make him a qualifying offer.

"I didn't think about it too much," Gallardo said. "I understand the game. I see guys come and go. It's tough, because you know you might be one of the guys traded. But now I feel like I am a part of this ballclub and they have shown confidence in me that I can help this ballclub."

Catchers lead roster shuffle
The Rangers made series of roster moves designed to cover themselves until everybody arrives in Arlington.

• The Rangers claimed catcher Bobby Wilson off waivers from the Rays. They also called up catcher Chris Gimenez from Triple-A Round Rock. Both were in uniform and active for Friday's game against the Giants. Gimenez started so that Robinson Chirinos could get the night off, but Wilson and Gimenez could only be here temporarily.

• The Rangers added Diekman to the active roster for Friday's game but won't do so with Hamels until Saturday. That allowed them to add an extra offensive player -- Gimenez -- to the roster for one day. The Rangers also are expected to activate catcher Carlos Corporan off the disabled list next week. That's why Wilson and Gimenez may be here just temporarily.

• The Rangers optioned pitcher Jon Edwards to Round Rock to make room for Diekman. They still have to make two more moves on Saturday to make room for Hamels and reliever Sam Dyson.