Texas Rangers sign Derek Dietrich

The Texas Rangers have signed infielder Derek Dietrich to a minor league deal, the team announced today.

Dietrich, 31, is a lefthanded hitter who was originally a second round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010. He was sent to the Miami Marlins for infielder Yunel Escobar in December, 2012, and played for the Marlins through 2018, when he became a free agent. He spent 2019 with the Cincinnati Reds, re-signed with them in February, was released by them in July, promptly signed with the Chicago Cubs, and then was released by the Cubs two days ago.

Dietrich is a lefthanded hitter with a career .246/.334/.427 slash line, good for a 107 OPS+. I’m a little surprised he would opt to sign with Texas, given that he’s a lefty who plays the four corners as well as second base, and the Rangers don’t appear, at this point, to have an opening on the active roster for someone who fits that role.

Because he signed a minor league deal, Dietrich is not on the 40 man roster, and he has been assigned to the Alternate Training Site.