The Texas Rangers purchased the contract of righthanded pitcher Michel Otanez prior to Friday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays. To make room for Otanez on the active roster, the Rangers optioned lefthanded pitcher Robbie Ahlstrom to AAA Round Rock. To make room for Otanez on the 40 man roster, the Rangers transferred pitcher Cole Winn from the 15 day injured list to the 60 day injured list.
The Rangers’ starters have not been going deep into games of late, and with the usage of the bullpen in the Boston
series, the Rangers opted to get a fresh arm up. I had thought that Ahlstrom, who has struggled of late and pitched on Thursday, would be sent down in favor of Winston Santos, who would give the Rangers a multi-inning guy for length in case of a blowout.
Instead, Texas opted for Otanez, who had been claimed on waivers by the Rangers this winter, but who was designated for assignment in June, cleared waivers, and was outrighted. The 29 year old has an unimpressive 4.42 in 55 innings over 50 appearances for Round Rock this season, with 74 Ks against 42 walks, but since a 5 run outing in Tacoma in late June, Otanez has a 1.33 ERA in 27 innings, with 35 Ks and 13 walks. It may be he’s turned a corner.
