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Texas Rangers rumors: Yuhei Nakaushiro of interest to Rangers

The Rangers are among the teams monitoring lefthanded reliever Yuhei Nakaushiro, per reports

By Adam J. Morris
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Texas Rangers rumors:  Yuhei Nakaushiro, a lefthanded reliever who was released by the Chiba Lotte Mariners, has major league teams, including the Texas Rangers, monitoring his workouts, and could come to the U.S. to throw for major league teams this spring, per reports.

Nakaushiro is a sidearming lefthander who has dealt with shoulder issues the last couple of years.  The 26 year old has limited experience in the highest league in Japan, and would appear to be a candidate for a minor league deal, according to Gerry Fraley.

The Rangers have Jake Diekman, Sam Freeman, Andrew Faulkner and Alex Claudio as lefthanded relievers on the 40 man roster currently.  Nakaushiro would seem to be someone who would offer minor league depth, rather than being a legitimate candidate for a major league job.

The Rangers have been one of the more aggressive teams in recent years in regards to scouting players in the Japanese League.  Yu Darvish is the most notable example, but they have also signed former JPL players Colby Lewis, Tony Barnette, Yoshinori Tateyama, and Kyuji Fujikawa to major league deals.