John Rheinecker, former Texas Rangers pitcher, passes away

John Rheinecker, former major league pitcher who spent time with the Texas Rangers, died Tuesday in St. Louis at the age of 38.

Rheinecker was a first round draft pick of the Oakland A’s in 2001, and was traded to the Rangers in a three team deal that sent Juan Dominguez to Oakland and brought John Koronka to Texas from the Cubs. Rheinecker spent his entire major league career with the Rangers, putting up a 5.65 ERA in 121 IP in the 2006-07 seasons for Texas.

Rheinecker retired following the 2008 season.

This is very sad news for the Rheinecker family, and our thoughts go out to them.

UPDATE — Rheinecker’s family says he took his own life.