ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Teas Rangers added more pitching depth Thursday, getting right-hander Logan Verrett on a waiver claim from Baltimore.
The Texas native, who was with Baltimore after being picked in the Rule 5 Draft, takes the 40-man roster spot held by Antoan Richardson. The Rangers put Richardson on the 60-day disabled list as he recovers from surgery for a herniated disk.
Since he was a Rule 5 pick the Rangers can't send Verrett to the minors. While he was a starter throughout his career Verrett will be used as a multi-inning reliever by the Rangers.
"Plus strikethrower," general manager Jon Daniels said of Verrett. "Good slider. He's a very good athlete with makeup."
Verrett pitched in nine games this spring with a 1.93 ERA. He had 12 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched.
Verrett, 24, is from Corpus Christi and went to college at Baylor where he was a teammate with Texas reliever Shawn Tolleson. He's been a starter throughout his career. He was 11-5 in Triple A last season with a 4.33 ERA in 28 starts.
He was drafted in the third round by the New York Mets in 2011 and is 28-13 in his pro career.
The addition of Verrett helps ease some of the uncertainly surrounding the Texas bullpen. Relievers Shawn Tolleson, Tanner Scheppers and Kyuji Fujikawa have all been slowed by injuries this spring and their availability for Opening Day is uncertain.
