The Texas Rangers added a pair of players to their late season roster yesterday, acquiring left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez and catcher Matt Treanor. Texas sent right-handed reliever Pedro Strop to Baltimore in exchange for Gonzalez, but it only cost them a cash sum to bring in Treanor.
After several impressive seasons as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves, Gonzalez cashed in before 2010. Gonzalez signed a 2 year $12 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles, becoming the club’s de facto closer.
But things didn’t go so well for Gonzalez in Charm City, as the lefty battled injuries and inconsistency during his time with the Orioles. Gonzalez appeared in only 29 games last season for Baltimore, compiling a record of 1-3 with a 4.01 ERA over his 24.2 innings of work. In 2011 his ERA has increased, but Gonzalez has managed to at least stay healthy (49 appearances).
While those may not sound like outstanding numbers, Gonzalez has been solid of late. He hasn’t allowed an earned run over his last 13 appearances spanning a month and a half. During that time, Gonzalez’s ERA has dropped from 5.82 to its current mark of 4.27. The lefty has also had excellent control through the stretch, striking out 15 while walking only 1 over his last 12.1 innings.
Gonzalez joins former Baltimore reliever Koji Uehara and Mike Adams in what’s become a revamped Rangers bullpen.
Treanor had spent the 2010 season with the Rangers before joining the Royals this March. Over his 65 games in Kansas City, Treanor hit at a clip of .226/.351/.306.
After sustaining a concussion during a game in late July, Treanor has been sidelined for the past month. Now finished with his Minor League rehab assignment, Treanor has been cleared to play and is set to join the Rangers. He will fill in as the team’s third catcher, behind Mike Napoli and Yorvit Torrealba.
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