Rangers add to pitching depth with McClellan

Published Jan. 15, 2013 10:56 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Texas Rangers added some pitching depth Tuesday, signing right-hander Kyle McClellan to a minor-league deal with an invite to the big-league camp.

McClellan spent the last five seasons with St. Louis, where he was both a starter and a reliever.

He'll begin camp with the Rangers working as a starter but could figure in the bullpen mix too.

"Kyle has had success on winning clubs in a variety of roles - starter, setup guy, and swing man," Texas general manager Jon Daniels said. "He'll be in the mix for any one of several spots on the staff. His versatility and makeup should be real assets to the club."

McClellan had his 2012 season cut short by elbow and shoulder issues, which led to surgeries last July. He's heading to Arizona early next month and is expected to be 100 percent when the Rangers begin camp in Surprise. He's already started throwing bullpens.

He's 19-23 with a 3.69 ERA over five seasons. He worked exclusively in the bullpen his first three seasons in St. Louis but then made 17 starts and won 12 games for St. Louis in 2011 when they won the World Series over Texas.

As a reliever, opponents are hitting just .240 against McClellan in 244 games and he has a 3.49 ERA.