Texas Rangers transactions: Rangers claim Pedro Figueroa, DFA Chaz Roe

Texas Rangers transactions: Pedro Figueroa, a 28 year old lefthanded pitcher, has been claimed on waivers by the Texas Rangers from the Tampa Bay Rays.

To make room for Figueroa on the 40 man roster, the Rangers have waived 27 year old righthander Chaz Roe.  Roe had been claimed on waivers earlier this season from Arizona.

Figueroa has a career 4.38 ERA, with 18 walks and 17 Ks in 24.2 major league innings with the Oakland A's.  The A's waived him earlier this offseason, and he was claimed at that time by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Figueroa entered the 2010 season as the #5 ranked prospect in the A's system according to Baseball America, winning the organization's minor league pitcher of the year award in 2009 while putting up a 3.38 ERA in A ball.  Figueroa had Tommy John surgery in 2010, though, and missed all of 2011.  In 2012 and 2013, Figueroa pitched mostly in relief, splitting time between AAA Sacramento and the majors.

Figueroa appears to be out of options, and my guess is he will be put back on the waiver wire at some point before the season starts, with the Rangers looking to sneak him through waivers and stash him in AAA.

Roe has previously been outrighted, so if he clears waivers, he will have the right to refuse an outright assignment and become a free agent.