Rangers claim Edwar Cabrera off waivers from Rockies

The Texas Rangers have claimed left-handed pitcher Edwar Cabrera off waivers from the Colorado Rockies, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The move clears a 40-man roster spot for the Rockies, who are in the process of a 40-man roster crunch.

Cabrera, who turns 26 this week, made two losing starts for Colorado in 2012, surrendering seven earned runs on nine hits in 5.2 combined innings of work. He spent the rest of the 2012 season between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Colorado Springs, posting an 11-5 record and 3.05 ERA in 21 starts on the year. John Sickels of Minor League Ball had Cabrera ranked as the team's fifth best prospect heading into the season, but a shoulder injury forced him to miss the entire year and be jettisoned from the Rockies' 40-man roster.

Because the southpaw has been highly-regarded in the Rockies' system (ranked 30th, 18th, and 17th annually by Baseball America over the past three years), the Rangers are likely taking a chance on him as a lottery-ticket type player. Cabrera is known for his excellent changeup and low-90s fastball, so the Rangers hope that he will be healthy enough to compete for a major league spot at the beginning of 2014.

In addition, Renck reports that the Rockies outrighted right-hander Manny Corpas off the 40-man roster and placed right-hander Jeff Manship on waivers. Corpas is expected to become a free agent who could re-sign with Colorado, and Manship is expected to clear waivers and be outrighted as well.