Texas pitcher Michael Kirkman throws a third inning pitch during the Texas Rangers vs. the Oakland Athletics spring training baseball game at Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, AZ on Saturday, March 1, 2014. (Louis DeLuca/Dallas Morning News)
ARLINGTON The Rangers, perhaps a bit to their own surprise, got the out-of-options Michael Kirkman through waivers on Tuesday and have assigned him to join the Triple-A Round Rock rotation.
The Rangers have so feared losing Kirkman on a waiver claim that they found wasy to hold on to him over the last two years, even as his command issues in the majors never really resolved themselves. After another inconsistent spring by Kirkman, though, the Rangers had no choice but to take the chance.
The Ranger faced a similar situation with OF Nelson Cruz in 2008, but he surprisingly cleared waivers, spent another three months in the minors and finally had things click in for him. Cruz was called back to the majors late in the 2008 season at the age of 28. Kirkman will turn 28 later this season.
Kirkman is 2-5 with a 5.17 ERA in his major league career and has allowed 54 walks in 101 innings. The Rangers feel that if he can ever overcome his command issues, he can be a legitimate contributor.
In other roster moves Monday:
C-3B Chris Gimenez was designated for assignment. He was claimed off waivers on Friday when the Rangers put Kirkman on outright waivers. Because he was claimed so close to the start of the season, he had to remain on the roster through opening day. If he clears waivers, he would go to Triple-A Round Rock to split time with Chris Snyder and Brett Nicholas.
RHP Daniel McCutchen was added to the bullpen for depth after Rangers relievers ended up throwing five innings in Mondays opener. McCutchen gives the Rangers eight relievers for now. The Rangers are expected to make a roster move by Saturday in order to make room for scheduled starter RHP Nick Marltinez.
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Source: http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2014/04/could-michael-kirkman-be-the-texas-rangers-next-nelson-cruz.html/
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