rEliEvErs
LH Jeff Beliveau (6-1, 197,
26) — The Chicago Cubs’ minor-league pitcher of the year in 2011, Beliveau struggled against righthanded batters last year in his first big league season. He posted a 4.58 ERA in 22 games, and the Rangers picked him up on waivers. LH Richard Bleier (6-3, 195, 25) — Entering his sixth season in the Rangers’ system, but his first in TripleA. A starter until last season, when an elbow injury limited him to 32 innings over 22 games with a 3.94 ERA. RH Lisalverto Bonilla (62, 164, 23) — The prized acquisition in the Michael Young trade, Bonilla is a talented prospect whose fastball has been clocked at 95 mph. He began his career as a closer, but was
moved to the bullpen last season, when a thumb injury limited him to 21 Double-A appearances with a 1.64 ERA and 46 strikeouts. RH Cory Burns (6-2, 180,
25) — Acquired from San Diego after making his major league debut last season, when he was 0-1 with 18 strikeouts and a 5.50 ERA in 18 innings. His unusual delivery helped him record 35 saves in Double-A in 2011, and he posted a 3.18 ERA in 66 Triple-A innings last season. A member of the Rangers’ 40-man roster, he could be Round Rock’s closer.
LH Neal Cotts (6-1, 200, 33) — Won a World Series ring with the White Sox in 2005, but most recently he’s piled up strikeouts for the Express. He had a 4.55 ERA in 31.2 innings for Round Rock in 2012 — striking out 41 — but had a 7.11 ERA this spring in six innings with the Rangers. RH Evan Meek (6-0,225, 29) — The lone All-Star representative for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2010, Meek has been plagued by shoulder soreness for the past two seasons. While he struggled in 12 innings for the Pirates in 2012, he posted a 2.74 ERA over 46 innings in Triple-A. LH Nate Robertson (62,225, 35) — Posted a 2.19 ERA in 12.1 innings this spring after changing his throwing motion in the offseason. If his numbers remain solid, he could be called up to the Rangers bullpen.
RH Yoshinori Tateyama
(5-10, 165, 37) — One of the oldest players in the Pacific Coast League, Tateyama struggled with his control last season, but he did have a brief stint with the Rangers after recording six saves for the Express. RHJohan Yan (6-4, 185, 25) — The side-armed pitcher struggled against left-handers in 2012, but his effective sinker (clocked at about 90 mph) makes him a pain for right-handed batters. He made 28 appearances for the Express in 2012, compiling a 5.03 ERA with 24 strikeout after being promoted from Double-A.