Rangers sign Baker to minor league deal, claim Gimenez
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Arlington, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - The Texas Rangers signed pitcher Scott Baker to a minor league contract and claimed catcher Chris Gimenez off waivers from Oakland on Friday.
Baker is expected to open the season with Triple-A Round Rock. The 32-year- old spent the entire spring in Seattle's major league camp as a non-roster invitee, going 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in four games for the Mariners.
He was released on March 25.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Baker, who had Tommy John surgery in 2012, returned in September 2013 to make three starts with the Cubs.
He has a career record of 63-48 with a 4.15 ERA over 163 games in the major leagues with Minnesota (2005-11) and Chicago-NL (2013).
Gimenez, 31, was in major league spring training camp with the A's, batting .242 with three RBI in 25 games. He has seen action in 143 major league games with Cleveland (2009-10), Seattle (2011), and Tampa Bay (2012-13), batting .199 with six homers.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}To make room for Gimenez on the 40-man roster, the club has designated left- handed pitcher Michael Kirkman for assignment.