Gee a free agent, O’Brien claimed

The Texas Rangers announced yesterday that pitcher Dillon Gee, who was designated for assignment on Friday to make room on the 40 man roster for Tyson Ross, has cleared waivers, declined an outright assignment and become a free agent.

In addition, the team also announced yesterday that outfielder Peter O’Brien, who was designated for assignment on Saturday to make room on the 40 man roster for Ernesto Frieri, was claimed on waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Gee saga is kind of odd, as he was brought to camp on a minor league deal, didn’t make the team, but was still added to the 40 man roster on a major league deal and then optioned (with Gee’s permission, since he has enough service time to decline an optional assignment) to AAA Round Rock. Gee was in AAA as starting pitching depth, and ultimately was brought up to the majors at the end of May. He made one start and three relief appearances, allowing 10 runs (6 earned) in 13 innings, with 10 strikeouts against 4 walks and 4 home runs.

Gee had fallen behind Nick Martinez and Austin Bibens-Dirkx in the pecking order, and thus apparently wants to see what other opportunities are out there for him to get back into the big leagues, rather than agreeing to continue toiling for Round Rock.

As for O’Brien, he is now with his fifth organization of 2017. The 26 year old has huge raw power, but has been unable to make that translate into game action. He had been claimed by the Rangers on waivers in late May, and put up a .188/.273/.333 slash line in 55 plate appearances for Round Rock.