Nick Tepesch, Texas Rangers agree on minor league contract

Nick Tepesch, the righthanded pitcher who spent all of 2015 on the disabled list with the Rangers, and who underwent Thoracic Outlet Surgery late last season, has re-signed with Texas on a minor league deal, according to John Blake on Twitter.

Tepesch spent the majority of the 2013 and 2014 seasons in the majors with Texas, primarily as a starter, and put up a 4.56 ERA and a 4.66 FIP in 219 IP.  Tepesch has earned praise for his poise and solid command, but his lack of an out pitch has made him vulnerable to getting beat up by hitters the third time through the order.

Tepesch was a 14th round pick of the Rangers out of the University of Missouri in 2010, signing an above-slot deal that was funded by cash that the Rangers received from Boston as part of the Jarrod Saltalamacchia trade.  Tepesch will be at the major league camp, and will presumably be battling with Chi Chi Gonzalez, A.J. Griffin, Nick Martinez, and Anthony Ranaudo for the 5th starter spot.