Pitcher Dillon Gee, who was with the Texas Rangers for a brief period of time in 2017, is heading to Japan to pitch for the Chunichi Dragons in 2018, per Ken Rosenthal.
Gee, a Cleburne native who turns 32 in April, was a minor league free agent of the Rangers who was added to the 40 man roster at the end of spring training and agreed to be optioned to AAA Round Rock. Gee ended up getting called up to the majors in late May, and after a scoreless relief outing against Tampa in his first outing for the Rangers, Gee allowed 10 runs in 10.1 IP (including 4 home runs) in a pair of relief outings and a start, resulting in his being returned to the minors.
Gee ended up getting released and signing with the Minnesota Twins, and he spent the final two months of the season on their major league roster, putting up a3.22 ERA and a 3.79 FIP in 36.1 IP over 14 appearances, mostly out of the bullpen.
Rosenthal says Gee is looking to re-establish himself in Japan as a starter, and then try to return to the U.S. for the 2019 season.