Joe Benson's time in the Minnesota Twins organization is over.
Benson was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers on Saturday, the Twins announced. Benson entered spring training with a chance to make Minnesota's 25-man roster as the starting center fielder, but he began the season at Triple-A Rochester instead.
In 42 games with Rochester this season, Benson batted .192 with a home run and nine RBI. He dealt with injuries last year that limited him to just 76 total games.
Benson was a second-round pick of the Twins in the 2006 draft out of Joliet (Ill.) Catholic Academy. He made his major league debut as a September call-up in 2011 and played in 21 games with Minnesota, batting .239 with a triple and two RBI.
The 25-year-old Benson made Baseball America's Top 100 prospects list two seasons in a row. He was No. 100 prior to the 2011 season and No. 99 prior to 2012.
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