Rangers claim Verrett as bullpen injuries mount

Former Baylor pitcher Logan Verrett was claimed on waivers Thursday by the Texas Rangers, who could open the season with three relievers on the disabled list.

The right-handed Verrett was a Rule 5 draft pick by Baltimore and had an impressive spring, allowing three earned runs in 14 innings. Though a starter throughout his minor league career, Verrett will be in the Rangers’ bullpen for the season opener Monday at Oakland.

The Rangers like that Verrett is a plus strike-thrower who can work multiple innings. They were lacking a true long reliever before claiming him.

Tanner Scheppers (right ankle), Kyuji Fujikawa (right groin) and Shawn Tolleson (forearm) are all candidates to start the season on the DL. Of the three, Tolleson is the most likely to avoid it.

Jon Edwards and Keone Kela were thought by many to have locked up roster spots during spring training.

To make room for Verrett (back) on the 40-man roster, the Rangers placed outfielder Antoan Richardson on the 60-day disabled list.

Home-opener festivities

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will participate in pregame ceremonies before the Rangers’ home opener April 10 against the Houston Astros. Abbott will make a “Texas Toss” to Rangers great Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez before the team introductions.

Retired Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Bradley will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Bradley, a participant in the Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative 2012 and 2013 Warriors Open, was injured in 2008 when his vehicle struck an IED during a mission in Afghanistan. Bradley has had 16 surgeries and has been awarded the Airman of the Year and Purple Heart.

This story was originally published April 2, 2015 at 3:56 PM with the headline "Rangers claim Verrett as bullpen injuries mount."