Rangers acquire LHP Kelvin De La Cruz

February, 21, 2012
2/21/12
2:12
PM CT
The Rangers have acquired left-handed pitcher Kelvin De La Cruz from Cleveland for cash considerations. De La Cruz goes on the 40-man roster, meaning the 40-man roster is now full and there are 59 total players scheduled to report to big league camp.

De La Cruz, 23, was designated for assignment last week to clear a spot on the 40-man for Casey Kotchman. Despite the fact that he hasn't pitched above Double-A, it does give the Rangers another left-handed bullpen possibility. They'll see what he's got this spring.

Here's part of the Rangers' release on Cruz:

He went 5-6 with a 4.19 ERA (40 ER/86.0 IP) in 23 games/16 starts for Akron (AA) in 2011, holding left-handed batters to a .143 (13-91) average. He has been primarily a starter throughout his professional career, although he made 6 of his 12 pro relief appearances at the end of last season. Still seeking his first action above Double-A, he has averaged 8.9 strikeouts per 9 innings and 0.6 home runs allowed per 9 innings in his career. He also made one appearance for Triple-A Columbus in the International League playoffs last year and had 6 games with the Cibao Eagles in the Dominican Winter League.

For his career, he is 32-28 with a 4.21 ERA (213 ER/455.1 IP) in 105 games/93 starts since signing with Cleveland as a free agent on December 4, 2004.

Outfielder Val Majewski re-signs: The Rangers inked Majewski to a minor-league deal on Tuesday and he'll be in minor league camp this spring. Here's the club's release on him:

The 30-year-old was originally signed by Texas on July 26, 2011, batting .333 (45-135) with 5 home runs and 33 RBI in 35 games for Round Rock (AAA) the rest of the year. He was also a member of the Express during the 2008 season while in the Houston Astros organization. Originally a third round selection by Baltimore in the 2002 June draft out of Rutgers University, he played 9 games with the Orioles in 2004, his only big league action to date. He started four straight seasons in the independent Atlantic League before signing mid-season with Houston (2008), LA of Anaheim (2009), Oakland (2010), and Texas (2011). He hit .317 with 11 home runs, 48 RBI and 63 runs scored in 71 games with York last season, where he was an Atlantic League Midseason All-Star.
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.

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TEAM LEADERS

BA LEADER
Ian Kinsler
BA HR RBI R
.302 7 20 24
OTHER LEADERS
HRN. Cruz 11
RBIN. Cruz 33
RE. Andrus 28
OPSM. Moreland .905
WY. Darvish 7
ERAY. Darvish 2.84
SOY. Darvish 91

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