Texas Rangers acquire Kyle Kubitza

The Texas Rangers have acquired Arlington native and former Texas State University player Kyle Kubitza from the Anaheim Angels for cash considerations, according to John Blake on Twitter.

Kubitza, 25, was a third round pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2011, being selected two picks after the Rangers selected the immortal Kyle Castro.  Kubitza was traded to Anaheim prior to the 2015 season, and got 39 plate appearances for the Angels last year, putting up a .194/.256/.194 slash line.

Kubitza came up as a third baseman, but has spent this season in AAA splitting time between the outfield, first base, second base, and third base.  A lefthanded hitter, Kubitza has a .253/.349/.366 slash line in AAA this year.

This appears to be a matter of the Rangers having an available 40 man roster spot, by virtue of Tom Wilhelmsen departing the organization, and seeing the opportunity to acquire a guy who had been designated for assignment by the Angels.  Kubitza gives the Rangers some depth, but I don't expect he's likely to be in the mix for a major league spot anytime soon, and if the Rangers need to clear a 40 man roster spot, he would seem to be the most likely candidate to get dropped.