Texas Rangers acquire Joely Rodriguez from Phillies

The Texas Rangers have acquired lefthanded relief pitcher Joely Rodriguez from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for a player to be named later or cash, the team has announced. Rodriguez, 25, had been designated for assignment by the Phillies.

Rodriguez has a 5.40 ERA and a 5.14 FIP over 36.2 major league innings in 2016-17, striking out 25, walking 19 and allowing 4 home runs, while hitting 5 batters. Rodriguez was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and was traded to the Phillies in December, 2014, for Antonio Bastardo. Rodriguez is a fastball/slider guy who throws in the mid-90s.

Rodriguez has been optioned to AAA Round Rock, and presumably at some point may get a look in the major league bullpen. Or, who knows, he could be DFA’d by the Rangers in the near future. The 40 man roster is now full, and a move will have to be made when Tyson Ross is activated from the 60 day d.l. this week.