Rangers sign LHP Scott Olsen

The Texas Rangers have signed left-hander Scott Olsen, according to the team’s transactions page.

Olsen was selected in the sixth round of the 2002 MLB Draft by the then Florida Marlins. He quickly developed into one of the game’s top young pitchers. Olsen went on to post impressive numbers in his first full season with the Marlins, maintaining an ERA of 4.04 over 31 starts spanning 180 2/3 innings in 2006.

However, Olsen couldn’t become a consistent starter in Florida, and the club ultimately decided to trade him to the Washington Nationals along with outfielder Josh Willingham in exchange for Jake Smolinski, P.J. Dean and Emilio Bonifacio.

Olsen fared no better in D.C., as he posted an ERA of 5.76 over 28 appearances, including 26 starts, spanning two seasons with the Nationals. The 28-year-old missed the entire 2011 season due to shoulder issues and made three starts in the Chicago White Sox minor league system last year.