DeShields signs minor league deal to rejoin Texas Rangers

Updated Feb. 1, 2021 4:34 p.m. ET

Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Free agent outfielder Delino DeShields has agreed to a minor league contract with Texas that includes an invitation to spring training with the Rangers, who traded him away just more than a year ago.

The Rangers said Monday that free agent right-hander Sam Gaviglio also signed a minor league deal with a spring training invitation.

DeShields and hard-throwing reliever Emmanuel Clase were traded to Cleveland in December 2019, with two-time AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber going to the Rangers. Kluber pitched only one inning for Texas in his debut last July 26 before exiting with a torn muscle in his right shoulder, and last week signed an $11 million, one-year free-agent deal with the New York Yankees.

The 28-year-old DeShields hit .252 with seven RBIs in 37 games last season with the Indians, who didn't offer him a contract for 2021. After being selected from Houston in the Rule 5 draft, DeShields played 539 games for the Rangers from 2015-19, hitting .246 with 18 homers, 126 RBIs and 106 stolen bases.

Gaviglio has pitched in the majors the last four seasons. He made four relief appearances over three stints with Toronto in 2020, allowing three earned runs in three innings. He is 11-18 with a 4.88 ERA in 98 games (37 starts) with Seattle (2017), Kansas City (2017), and Toronto (2018-20) in his big league career. He led the majors with 95 2-3 innings in relief in 2019, his first season working exclusively out of the bullpen.

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