Texas Rangers Strike Out On Matt Moore, Mariners Add Pitching

The hopes of the Texas Rangers adding pitching help, especially to the bullpen, by waiver claims were likely dashed Thursday by the Cleveland Guardians.

Despite being just 64-70 and trailing the Minnesota Twins by 5.0 games in the American League Central, the Guardians shocked baseball world by nabbing three pitchers waived by the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday – left-handed reliever Matt Moore, right-handed starter Lucas Giolito and right-handed reliever Reynaldo Lopez.

Moore would have been a nice fit in Arlington, especially considering the season he was having with the Angels and last season with the Rangers. Per MLB.com:

After rejuvenating his career out of the Rangers’ bullpen in 2022, Moore signed a one-year deal with the Angels last offseason and proceeded to post a 2.66 ERA with 49 strikeouts and 12 walks over 44 innings for the Halos. The 34-year-old will add a much needed left-handed component to Cleveland’s relief corps.

Claims were awarded in reverse order of record. The Rangers are 75-58 and a game behind the Seattle Mariners (76-57) and Houston Astros (77-58) in the AL West.

The Angels also lost outfielder Hunter Renfroe (Cincinnati Reds) and reliever Dominic Leone (Mariners). Of the three teams battling it out for the West title, only Seattle made a move Thursday. The Astros also stood pat.

Leone signed a minor league contract with the Rangers before the season and made eight appearances for Triple-A Round Rock before opting out of his deal and becoming a free agent in early May. He signed with the New York Mets and was dealt to the Angels at the trade deadline.

The Angels’ fire sale cemented the franchise’s major miscalculation to “go for it” before the deadline by giving Shohei Ohtani and Co. reinforcements. Los Angeles traded for Giolito and Lopez from the Chicago White Sox, but quickly fell out contention.

The Rangers begin a three-game series Friday against Minnesota at Globe Life Field. Max Scherzer is on the mound for the opener.

You can follow Art Garcia on Twitter @ArtGarcia92.

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