Rangers ironing out final details on Lewis’ contract
Right-hander Colby Lewis is playing catch and working out at his home in Bakersfield, Calif., without any issues with his surgically repaired right knee. But a physical exam has been delayed as the Texas Rangers work with his agent to complete a contract for 2016.
A few details are left to be worked out before the $6 million deal is finalized, but nothing so serious that the agreement would be scuttled. Lewis must also pass the physical.
He would fall into the Rangers’ rotation, where he has been since 2010 with the exception of an injury-marred 2013 campaign. Lewis has led the Rangers in wins, starts and innings the past two seasons.
Lewis said that he plans to attend Rangers Fan Fest next week in Arlington.
Wilhelmsen agrees
Right-handed reliever Tom Wilhelmsen, acquired in November in a five-player trade with Seattle, avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $3.1 million contract for 2016.
Wilhelmsen, who came from the Mariners along with outfielders James Jones and Patrick Kivlehan for Leonys Martin and Anthony Bass, was one of seven Rangers who filed for arbitration Tuesday.
Catcher Robinson Chirinos, left-hander Jake Diekman, infielder Jurickson Profar, first baseman Mitch Moreland and right-handers Tanner Scheppers and Shawn Tolleson will exchange salary figures with the Rangers before Friday’s deadline.
Infielder signed
The Rangers gave Hanser Alberto some spring-training competition to be the utility infielder by signing Pedro Ciriaco to a minor-league deal with an invitation to big league camp.
The Rangers are Ciriaco’s sixth team since 2010. The first was Pittsburgh, where he first met Rangers manager Jeff Banister. Ciriaco spent last season with Atlanta, appearing in a career-high 84 games.
Briefly
▪ Banister will receive his American League Manager of the Year award on Jan. 22 from former boss Clint Hurdle, who was the Rangers hitting coach in 2010 and Pittsburgh’s manager when Banister served as Pirates bench coach from 2011-2014.
▪ The Rangers are searching for an international scouting director after Gil Kim was hired by Toronto to be the Blue Jays’ director of player development. Kim spent seven seasons with the Rangers.
Jeff Wilson: 817-390-7760, @JeffWilson_FWST
This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Rangers ironing out final details on Lewis’ contract."