The Texas Rangers already dug into the Japanese leagues to find one relief pitcher this offseason, as they signed Tony Barnette to a contract this winter after he spent six seasons in Japan as a lockdown closer.
Now, they're at it again, perhaps.
This time, the Rangers are showing some interest in Japanese reliever Yuhei Nakaushiro, a sidearm lefty who seems to be kind of a bit but could be an option for the club from the left side out of their right-hand tipping bullpen that could be one of the game's best.
The Rangers, according to the Dallas Morning News' Gerry Fraley, are just one of the teams interested in Nakaushiro, most likely on a minor-league deal. He wasn't dominant in Japan and has battled injuries, but the Rangers along with the Phillies and Diamondbacks have shown interest in him.
In his 30 1/3 innings a year ago in Japan's Eastern League, he had 31 strikeouts and 20 walks while allowing 29 hits.
