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Texas Rangers pitcher Shawn Tolleson has announced his retirement today. Tolleson, 30, underwent Tommy John surgery in May, 2017, and signed a two year minor league contract last offseason with the intent of rehabbing in 2018 and competing for a spot in the bullpen in 2019. He suffered a setback last week in his throwing program, prompting this decision.
Tolleson was a waiver claim by the Rangers in November, 2013, and had two quality seasons out of the bullpen for Texas in 2014-15, including being the closer for the 2015 A.L. West division winning team. He had an awful 2016 season, however, was released after the 2016 season, and signed with Tampa Bay for 2017. He didn’t pitch for the Rays, however, due to the elbow injury that ultimately necessitated surgery.