Nabil Crismatt signed a Minor League deal with the Texas Rangers on Wednesday after being outrighted by the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend and electing free agency.
Crismatt had limited appearances with the Dodgers, allowing two earned runs over seven innings with six strikeouts. During his Dodgers tenure, he was mostly an organizational depth piece and was only called upon when the Major League club was in need for fresh arms.
Crismatt bounced around between Triple-A Oklahoma City and the Dodgers several times already this season and never really had a long-term role outside of that.
This move makes a lot of sense for Crismatt as it will give him a chance to earn a permanent spot in a Major League bullpen with another team without the fear of being sent back down to the Minors.
The defending champions are suffering from a slight case of World Series hangover, and they have been in need of pitching reinforcements, giving Crismatt an opportunity to secure a roster spot. The Rangers are playing below .500 ball through 50 games and are in second place in a division that is struggling as a whole.
The Rangers’ pitching staff is roughly in the middle of the pack in terms of team ERA, but it is their bullpen that is in desperate need of help.
The Rangers have by far the worst bullpen in the league with a 5.22 ERA and have only converted 9-of-16 save opportunities, and they actually have a top-10 rotation in baseball.
It makes sense that the Rangers are open to any kind of bullpen help at this point and it offers Crismatt a quick and clear path to a full time spot on a Major League roster if he is able to perform.
Evan Phillips is a week or more out from returning to Dodgers
When Evan Phillips was placed on the 15-day injured list with a hamstring injury back on May 3 the team was hopeful that he would return after a short stint on the IL, but the injury has lasted far longer at nearly three weeks.
Even though he is making progress, it still may end up being another week or more before he is able to return. He is set to begin his rehab assignment on Sunday with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga.
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