Veteran reliever Brendan Donnelly was released by Texas on Thursday morning, a little more than a month after he was signed, along with Andruw Jones, to a minor league contract.
Donnelly said he was surprised by the move, saying that he thought he was pitching well.
"I didn't see this one coming," Donnelly said. "Basically I don't know if the out-date came into play. We were going to talk to them this morning about extending it. I thought I was throwing the ball pretty good. I gave up a couple of runs but I was told not to walk anybody and I didn't."
Reports said the 37-year-old had impressed coaches early in camp. However his spring ERA was an unimpressive 7.50.
Donnelly is just one of the many low-risk signings that characterized the Rangers’ off-season, and their frugal attempts to shore up the bullpen. The former All-Star has struggled with health issues since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2007, while with the Boston Red Sox.
He posted an 8.65 ERA in 15 games with the Indians last season.
With Donnelly’s release, 42 players remain in Rangers camp in Surprise, and seven pitchers competing for four spots in the bullpen.
