The Texas Rangers have made another trade, this time picking up left handed reliever Travis Blackley from the Houston Astros for cash considerations.
The Rangers acquired the 30 year old relief pitcher, not placing him on the 40 man roster and sending him straight to Triple-A Round Rock. He should provide organizational depth with the Rangers.
Blackley began his career with the Seattle Mariners in 2004 as he was out of the big leagues in 2005-06 only to return in 2007. He’s been out of the majors until last season.
After the Seattle Mariners traded Freddy Garcia to the Chicago White Sox, they needed another starter and purchased the contract of Blackley on July 1st. He made his major league debut against the Texas Rangers and beat them. He allowed four runs on six hits through five 2/3 innings. He became just the sixth Mariners pitcher in team’s history to start and win his major league debut.
He was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft where he was placed on waivers at the end of the 2008 spring training. The Giants didn’t place a claim on him so the Phillies sent him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley where he became a free agent at the end of the season.
The Diamondbacks later signed him in December of 2008, sending him to Triple-A Reno on April 1st. In 2010 he spent time with the New York Mets Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, but was released on May 2nd. A week later he was picked up by the Oakland Athletics who also assigned him to his Triple-A affiliate.
After spending a season in each the Australian and Korean baseball leagues, he found himself back in a San Francisco Giants. He was designated for assignment once again, only to be picked up by Oakland for his second stint with the franchise. He finished the season with a 6-4 record 3.86 ERA for the season with the A’s.
He was traded to the Astros early on this year for outfielder Jake Goebbert, designated for assignment a couple days ago and now plays for the Texas Rangers.
A man who has played musical chairs, major league baseball edition, hopes to stick with the Rangers for more than one season. Let’s see if this happens.