Ervin Santana designated for assignment

Ervin Santana has been designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox today. The ChiSox now have 7 days to waive, trade or release the veteran righthander.

The Rangers, of course, are desperate for pitching depth, and while Santana has been bad, they could view him as a potentially salvageable depth option, much like Yovani Gallardo last year.

Santana signed a minor league deal that provided for him to make $4.3 million in base salary while in the majors, though I’m not sure if the $4.3 million was guaranteed once he was added to the roster. If it is a non-guaranteed deal, Chicago will just end up releasing him, most likely. If it is fully guaranteed, however, Chicago could see if someone will take him and pay a little more than the pro-rated minimum.

Most likely, Santana will be a free agent by the end of the weekend, and we will see then if Texas has any interest. Santana was surprisingly good in 2017 for the Twins — he finished 7th in the Cy Young balloting — but since then has logged an 8.53 ERA and 8.51 FIP in 38 innings.

The Ranger pitching staff is currently running on fumes, but the team has three off days in eight days beginning on Monday, and that, along with the return of Drew Smyly, should help them get the staff back into shape. That said, don’t be surprised if the Rangers look to add Santana on a minor league deal next week.