Rangers designate pitchers Scott Barnes and Ben Rowen for assignment
Transactions create space on 40-man roster for Kyuji Fujikawa and Colby Lewis
Arlington, Texas - The Texas Rangers today announced the club has designated left-handed pitcher Scott Barnes and right-handed pitcher Ben Rowen for assignment. These transactions create space on the club's 40-man roster for pitchers Kyuji Fujikawa, who signed a one-year contract today, and Colby Lewis, whose contract became official today.
Barnes was received from the Baltimore Orioles in a December 8 waiver claim. He was previously designated for assignment by Cleveland on November 23 before being traded to Baltimore in exchange for cash considerations on November 26. Barnes went 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA in 25 games/one start for Triple-A Columbus in 2014.
Rowen made his major league debut with 8 relief outings for Texas in 2014, allowing 4 runs in 8.2 innings during his lone big league stint from June 11-July 3. He spent the duration of the year with Triple-A Round Rock, going 3-0 with a 3.45 ERA (18 ER/47.0 IP) in 34 relief appearances.
The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release, or outright both Barnes and Rowen to the minor leagues. The club has a full 40-man roster.