Report: Rangers sign P Rafael Perez to minor-league deal
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The Rangers reportedly added another candidate on Saturday to vie for a spot in the bullpen this season, inking veteran southpaw Rafael Perez to a minor-league deal, per Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
#Rangers sign LHP Rafael Perez to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) January 18, 2014
Once lauded by longtime scribe Peter Gammons as "arguably the best left-handed reliever on the planet," Perez enjoyed many successful seasons as a left-handed specialist with the Indians before shoulder problems derailed his career. The 31-year-old didn't play in the majors last season, and logged just 7.2 innings in 2012 before a strained latissimus muscle sidelined him for the majority of the campaign.
However, Perez owns a career .256/.323/.355 line against left-handed hitters, yielding just 11 home runs in 613 plate appearances.