The Texas Rangers on Thursday announced the signing of catcher Chris Gimenez and right-handed pitcher David Martinez to minor-league contracts with invites to spring training.
Gimenez, 31, hit .241 with 11 RBIs in 42 games with Texas and Cleveland last season. He spent a bulk of the season at Triple-A Round Rock where he hit .284 with six home runs and 22 RBIs. The Rangers acquired Gimenez in a waiver claim from Oakland last spring and he made the opening day roster. He was traded to Cleveland on August 23.
Martinez, 27, has made seven relief appearances for the Houston Astros over the last two seasons. Last season, he appeared in three games (seven innings) and faced 28 hitters.
Martinez spent the majority of the 2014 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City and compiled a 5.64 ERA in 22 games (13 starts).
The Rangers also signed left-handed pitcher Efrain Nieves to a minor-league contract, and he'll be in minor league camp this spring. Nievens, 25, pitched in 44 games last season for Dunedin, Toronto's High-A affiliate.
