Texas Rangers agree to terms with LHP Neal Cotts on one-year contract

Arlington, Texas-The Texas Rangers announced this evening that the club has agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Neal Cotts on a one-year contract for the 2014 season. No further terms were disclosed.

Cotts emerged as one of the top left-handed relievers in the majors in 2013 in his first big league action since 2009. He was 8-3 with a 1.11 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 57.0 innings over his 58 appearances with Texas. The left-hander tied for the major league lead in relief wins and had the second lowest ERA, the best in club history for a relief pitcher.

He opened the year at Triple-A Round Rock and was 3-1 with a 0.78 ERA in 15 games before his promotion to Texas on May 21. From that date on, his 58 appearances were the most of any major league pitcher.

Cotts is 18-15 with a 3.99 ERA in 342 career games with the White Sox, Cubs, and Rangers. He missed all of the 2010 and 2011 seasons due to injuries.

Cotts had been eligible for salary arbitration. With his agreement, three Rangers remain eligible for salary arbitration, pitchers Neftali Feliz and Alexi Ogando and infielder/DH Mitch Moreland.