Texas Rangers sign Hammel, lose Andreoli

The Texas Rangers have lost outfielder John Andreoli on a waiver claim to the San Francisco Giants, the team announced today. Andreoli had been claimed on waivers earlier in January by the Rangers, and was designated for assignment in order to open up a 40 man roster spot for relief pitcher Shawn Kelley.

In addition, the Rangers have signed veteran pitcher Jason Hammel to a minor leauge contract. Hammel, 35, gives the Rangers some rotation depth for the spring, and a potential depth piece at AAA Nashville, should he and the Rangers agree he will stay in the organization if he doesn’t make the major league club.

Hammel has carved out a career as an up-and-down, generally useful starting pitcher in the majors, and has spent time with the Rays, the Cubs, the Rockies, the Royals, the Orioles and the A’s. His last two seasons have been with Kansas City, where he put up a 5.59 ERA and a 4.44 FIP in 307.1 innings over 50 starts and 21 relief appearances.