ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers today announced that the team has officially declined club contract options for the 2020 season for right-handed pitchers Shawn Kelley and Nate Jones and catcher Wellington Castillo. Additionally right-handed pitcher Phillips Valdez has been claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.
Shawn Kelley went 5-2 with 11 saves and a 4.94 ERA over 50 relief appearances in his first season with Texas in 2019, leading the staff in relief wins while ranking second in saves. He also spent a pair of stints on the injured list for minor neck surgery (May 9-20) and right biceps soreness (July 22-August 6).
Jones, who was on the 60-day injured list, was acquired from the Chicago White Sox with international slot compensation and cash considerations in exchange for minor league right-handed pitchers Joe Jarneski and Ray Castro on July 31. Jones posted a 3.48 ERA over 13 relief appearances with the White Sox before going on the injured list for the duration of the season on April 27. He had surgery to repair a flexor mass tear in his right forearm on May 13
Castillo, who was acquired from the White Sox with international slot compensation in exchange for minor league INF-OF Jonah McReynolds on Thursday, batted .209 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI over 72 games with Chicago in 2019.
Valdez posted no record and a 3.94 ERA over 11 relief appearances with Texas in 2019, his first Major League action. He had four stints with the Rangers: June 8, July 3-August 1, August 19-20, and September 24-end of season.
Following these transactions, the Rangers now have 34 players on the club’s Major League roster, along with three players on the 60-day injured list: RHP Jesse Chavez, OF Joey Gallo, LHP Taylor Hearn.
From Rangers PR staff reports
