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Rangers Make First Round of Cuts

Posted on March 15th, 2009 3:16pm by Evan Grant
Filed under Breaking News, Roster report, Texas Rangers

SURPRISE, Ariz. – The Rangers made their first round of roster cuts this morning, sending eight players over to the minor league camp. No huge surprises on the list. RHP Thomas Diamond, LHP Kaason Gabbard, RHP Guillermo Moscoso, RHP Omar Poveda and INF Jose Valleyjo were optioned. RHP Casey Daigle, C Kevin Richardson and C Manny Pina were re-assigned to minor league camp. Though none of the names were huge surprises, there were a few worth spending a moment or two discussing:

LHP Kason Gabbard: Gabbard opened last season in the Rangers rotation, but ended up having surgery on his troublesome elbow at mid-season. While healthy now, he’s pitched only once in an “A” game this spring and is still considered a bit behind the rest of the pitchers. Gabbard has had a litany of arm issues throughout his career so you can bet the Rangers are going to slow play his recovery. That said, there was some thought he might contend for a spot in the bullpen. Shifting him to minor league camp now allows him to also “stretch out” by throwing more innings. That would allow him to be an option both as a starter or reliever should the need arise.

RHP Thomas Diamond: If there has been a disappointment in camp, it’s been Diamond. There was some hope in the Rangers offices that Diamond could become a surprise contender for a bullpen spot this spring. It hasn’t happened. In 2.1 innings of big league exhibitions, Diamond has walked six and allowed six hits and five runs.

RHP Casey Daigle: Moving the husband of Jennie Finch to the minor league side means the Team USA Softball pitcher, who is not unattractive to the eye, won’t be spotted at any more Rangers’ exhibitions.

A few words about the others: Richardson is recovering from knee surgery and out for at least a month; Moscoso, who has only six appearances above Class A; Vallejo, who will split time between short and second in the minor league camp; .

One Comment to “Rangers Make First Round of Cuts”

Fai Mao @ March 15th, 2009 at 6:30 pm

Why don’t they offer Jenny Finch a tryout?

She has a plus sinkerball, curve and changeup. The funky submarine delivery might cover a multitude of sins with regard to 80 – 84 mph fastball.

She could be a reliever in the major leagues

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