ARLINGTON, Texas -- One of the least surprising moves of the offseason for the Texas Rangers was completed Friday as the team signed right-hander Colby Lewis to a one-year deal for the 2015 season.
Lewis, 35, will earn $4 million and fill one of the vacancies in the Texas rotation.
While Lewis, who led the Rangers in starts, wins and innings pitched, tested the free-agency market there was never really any doubt in his mind he'd be pitching for the Rangers next year.
"I feel like I've always been a Ranger even though I've bounced around a little bit," Lewis said. "I'm very grateful that JD (Jon Daniels) and the front office have given me another opportunity to come back and continue to take the ball, run me out there every five days, eat up innings and give the team quality starts as much as I can. I'm just super pumped to put the Rangers uniform back on. That's where I wanted to be."
While Lewis' 14 losses and 5.18 ERA in 2014 aren't strong numbers, he made 29 starts after having right hip resurfacing surgery on Aug. 22, 2013. Lewis had to alter his mechanics and his stride because of the hip and once he figured out how to pitch with the new hip, his numbers improved.
Lewis had a 6.54 ERA and allowed opponents to hit .353 against him in his first 16 starts but after the All-Star break Lewis had a 3.86 ERA and opponents batted just .251 against him.
He feels like his numbers will be even better in 2015 because his offseason is a regular one instead of a rehab offseason, which is something he's had to do in each of the last two years.
"My arm definitely came into play and felt a lot better after the hip felt a lot better," Lewis said. "I feel great, doing all my workouts, zero pain. I feel like I'm going to be one of those guys like I was in the past three or four years where I was able to go out there and eat up 200 innings and be able to contribute."
Lewis had a 6.54 ERA and allowed opponents to hit .353 against him in his first 16 starts but after the All-Star break Lewis had a 3.86 ERA and opponents batted just .251 against him.
Signing Lewis gives the Rangers three rotation locks in Lewis, Yu Darvish and Derek Holland. Daniels said the club is still looking to add another starter from outside the organization but he's glad to know what he'll be getting from the veteran.
"It's meaningful," Daniels said. "To put somebody in there like Colby, we know what we're going to get, good days, bad days, he's going to take the ball and give us a chance to win. Lead by example, pound the strike zone. All the things we've been about, that Banny (Jeff Banister) has been about, it's a comforting feeling having him (Lewis) locked up."
Briefly
⢠The Rangers signed left-hander Michael Kirkman to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. The Rangers opted to non-tender Kirkman Tuesday to create a spot on the 40-man roster. Kirkman will go to spring training as a reliever.
⢠Manager Jeff Banister said the plan is for outfielder Shin-Soo Choo to get the majority of his playing time in right field.
⢠Infielder Jurickson Profar will be limited in spring training because Daniels wants him to be "110 percent" before he plays at full speed. Profar is trying to return from a torn muscle in his right shoulder that cost him the entire 2014 season.
