The Texas Rangers trimmed their roster to 35 players Monday by making decisions on five players.
Two pitchers vying for a left-handed relief spot in the bullpen – Mitch Stetter and Joe Beimel – were released. Outfielder/first baseman Conor Jackson was also released.
The club also assigned right-hander Mark Hamburger to their Triple A camp and reassigned right-hander Sean Green to the minor-league camp.
Both Stetter and Beimel were coming off injuries in 2011 and both failed to produce the big springs that it would have taken to make the club. Stetter, who pitched for Milwaukee last season, had a 5.40 ERA in his four spring appearances. Beimel, who was slowed early in camp by some discomfort in his elbow, had a 4.50 mark in six games.
With their releases, the Rangers still have three lefties in the hunt for a bullpen spot. Michael Kirkman, Neal Cotts and the surprising Robbie Ross remain with the team. Ross, who is in his first big-league camp, hasn't allowed a run this spring.
Cotts, who was signed to a minor-league deal after camp began, has pitched in seven games this spring with a 5.19 ERA. Kirkman, the frontrunner when camp opened, has been erratic this spring. He's allowed 16 hits in 10 1/3 innings and opposing hitters are batting .333 against him.
Jackson batted just .091 this spring for Texas.
With the moves, the Rangers now have 35 players in camp.
