The man known as "Sheriff” is officially a Texas Ranger.
The Rangers on Monday finalized a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Chris Paddack, who had been designated for assignment by the Reds on Wednesday and elected free agency. The 30-year-old right-hander has also spent time this season with the Marlins and has recorded a 6.96 ERA across 13 appearances (nine starts), spanning 51 innings.
The Rangers also called up prospect Cameron Cauley from Triple-A Round Rock and designated outfielder Jarred Kelenic and righty Joe Ross for assignment.
An Austin native, Paddack has a 4.78 ERA through 119 career starts split between the Padres, Twins, Tigers, Marlins and Reds. He will try to help out a Rangers team that enters Monday’s marquee game versus the Guardians with a half-game lead in the AL West but could use more rotation depth, especially with Jack Leiter due to miss significant time after undergoing right ankle surgery last week.
Paddack, who routinely dresses like a cowboy on his start days, was an eighth-round Draft pick by the Marlins in 2015 out of Cedar Park High School in Texas.