The Texas Rangers have traded 27-year old lefty starting pitcher Kason Gabbard back to the Red Sox for cash considerations. Gabbard pitched in 5 games (0 starts) in AAA for the Rangers this season and he was 0-1 with a 10.50 ERA and a 3.50 WHIP. In two seasons with the Rangers, Gabbard pitched in 20 games (all starts) and he was 4-4 with a 5.14 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP. The Rangers shouldn’t miss Gabbard too much.

The Rangers have placed righty reliever Willie Eyre on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin injury. He has pitched in 3 games (0 starts) for the Rangers this season and he is 0-0 with a 6.23 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP. The Rangers have recalled righty reliever/starter Luis Mendoza to replace Eyre. Mendoza has pitched in 2 games (both starts) in AAA-ball this season and he is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. Mendoza has only allowed 4 hits in 10 1/3 innings in AAA while whiffing 13.

The Rangers have claimed 26-year old righty reliever Darren O’Day off waivers from the Mets. He pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Mets this season and he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP. O’Day has now pitched in 36 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 0-1 with a 4.24 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. The Rangers must keep O’Day on their active 25-man roster or they will have to offer him back to the division rival Los Angeles Angels due to the fact that the Mets claimed him in the Rule 5 Draft over the winter.

The Rangers have placed righty starting pitcher Kris Benson on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow tendinitis. Benson has started 2 games for the Rangers this season and he is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA and a 1.91 WHIP. Benson wasn’t fooling anyone as he allowed 16 hits and 3 homers in his first 11 innings for the Rangers. Righty Scott Feldman will replace Benson in the rotation for now. He has pitched in 3 games (0 starts) for the Rangers this season and he is 0-0 with a 12.15 ERA and a 2.25 WHIP. He has allowed 11 hits and 3 homers in only 6 2/3 innings for the Rangers this season. The Rangers would be better off just giving the ball to rookie lefty Derek Holland than either of these guys.

The Rangers have recalled 22-year old lefty starting pitcher Derek Holland who is their #2 rated prospect according to Baseball America. Holland will initially work as the long reliever for the Rangers but he will likely join the rotation soon. Holland pitched in 1 game (a start) in AAA-ball this season and he was 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP. In his previous two seasons in the minors, Holland pitched in 42 games (40 starts) in which he was 17-6 with a 2.56 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Holland whiffed 240 batters while only allowing 168 hits in 218 innings in 2007 and 2008. He will make a huge impact on the pitching staff in 2009 mark my words. To make room on the roster for Holland the Rangers waived 26-year old righty reliever Josh Rupe. Rupe pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Rangers this season and he was 0-0 with a 15.43 ERA and a 3.64 WHIP. Rupe allowed 12 hits and walked 5 batters in only 4 2/3 innings for the Rangers this season earning his release.

The Rangers have signed 31-year old righty swinging infielder Esteban German to a minor league deal. German played in 89 games for the Royals last year and he was 53 for 216 (.245 avg, .643 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 22 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. He has now played in 366 games in his major league career and he is 262 for 946 (.277 avg, .741 OPS) with 139 runs scored, 7 homers, 102 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. The Rangers will stash German in AAA-ball and call him up if they suffer any injuries in the infield.

The Rangers have designated 26-year old righty swinging 3B Travis Metcalf for assignment. Metcalf played in 23 games for the Rangers last year and he was 13 for 56 (.232 avg, .868 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 6 homers and 14 RBIs. He played in 80 games in two seasons for the Rangers and he was 54 for 217 (.249 avg, .775 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 11 homers and 35 RBIs. The Rangers are probably hoping that he clears waivers so that they don’t lose him.

UPDATE: The Kansas City Royals have claimed Travis Metcalf off waivers.

The Rangers have released 37-year old switch hitting catcher Adam Melhuse. Melhuse played in 15 games for the Rangers and Rockies last year and he was 5 for 30 (.167 avg) with 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. He played in 31 games over two seasons with the Rangers and he was 18 for 88 (.205 avg) with 7 runs scored, 1 homer and 8 RBIs. The Rangers couldn’t find a spot for Melhuse despite his ties to manager Ron Washington from their days in Oakland together.

The Rangers have released 34-year old lefty swinging 1B/OF Frank Catalanotto. Catalanotto played in 88 games for the Rangers last season and he was 68 for 248 (.274 avg, .741 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 2 homers and 21 RBIs. He played in 191 games for the Rangers in his two seasons there and he was 154 for 579 (.266 avg) with 80 runs scored, 13 homers and 65 RBIs. Andruw Jones beat Catalanotto out for the final spot on the roster.