The Texas Rangers today announced that the club has acquired right-handed pitcher Ian Gibaut from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Gibaut has been optioned to Triple-A Nashville. To make room on the 40-man roster for Gibaut, the Rangers have transferred left-handed pitcher Jesse Biddle from the 10-day to the 60-day injured list.
Gibaut, 25, made his Major League debut on July 12 at Baltimore (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R-ER) during his lone stint with the Rays this season from July 6-12. He was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay on July 23 while on option at Triple-A Durham, where he has spent the bulk of the campaign, going 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA (4 ER/10.1 IP) while averaging 13.9 strikeouts per 9 innings over 11 games/one start for the Bulls. The Houston native was originally selected by the Rays in the 11th round of the 2015 June draft out of Tulane University. Over five professional seasons, Gibaut owns a 2.29 ERA, 1.139 WHIP figure, and 11.3 strikeouts per 9 innings over 155 games and 216.0 innings in the minor leagues.
Biddle was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 16 (retroactive to July 15) with left shoulder fatigue, and the first date he would be eligible to return is September 13.
Following these transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the club’s Major League roster, along with six players on the 60-day injured list: LHP Jesse Biddle, RHP Luke Farrell, LHP Taylor Hearn, LHP Yohander Méndez, LHP Jeffrey Springs, and RHP Edinson Vólquez.
