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Rafael Perez to the Texas Rangers: 31 year old lefthander Rafael Perez has agreed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers that includes a spring training invitation, according to Chris Cotillo on Twitter.
Perez has spent most of his career with the Cleveland Indians, and had a breakout year in 2007 out of the bullpen when he posted a 1.78 ERA in 60.2 innings. His K rate had steadily dropped since then, however, and although he's been most serviceable as a reliever, he missed most of 2012 with a shoulder injury that ultimately required surgery, and spent the 2013 season pitching in the minors for the Twins and Red Sox organizations.
Perez provides the Rangers with a lefty reliever for AAA Round Rock who will also provide depth for the bullpen. If the Rangers opt to go with Robbie Ross in the rotation to start the season, that would leave Neal Cotts as the only lefty reliever in the bullpen, and that could potentially mean an opportunity for a pitcher like Perez.
