Rangers reach $3,450,000 deal with lefty Detwiler

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) The Rangers avoided arbitration with Ross Detwiler, agreeing to one-year contract for $3,450,000 with the left-hander, a candidate for their rotation.

Detwiler was acquired last month from the Washington Nationals, who used him exclusively as a reliever last season for the first time in his career. He wants to be a starter again.

The deal Friday, which gives Detwiler a $450,000 raise and is guaranteed, leaves designated hitter Mitch Moreland as the only remaining Texas player in arbitration.

Moreland is asking for $3/35 million, and the Rangers have countered with $2.75. He made $2.65 million last season, when he hit .246 with two home runs and 23 RBIs in 52 games before season-ending surgery on his left ankle.

Detwiler worked mostly in long relief last year, going 2-3 with a 4.00 ERA in 63 innings over a career-high 47 appearances. He was left off Washington's postseason roster for an NL division series loss to San Francisco.

In six seasons with the Nationals, Detwiler was 20-32 with a 3.82 ERA. He made 69 starts.