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The Texas Rangers released first baseman/outfielder Brandon Allen from his minor league contract this weekend, according to Jeff Wilson of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Rangers extend Andrus
The Rangers and shortstop Elvis Andrus agreed on an eight-year, $120 million contract extension.
The Rangers signed Allen to a minor league contract in December that included an invitation to spring training. Wilson notes that the 27-year-old was slated for Triple-A prior to his release.
The Oakland Athletics acquired Allen from the Arizona Diamondbacks along with Jordan Norberto in exchange for reliever Brad Ziegler during the summer of 2011. He entered last season with the A's before being selected off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays then released him from his contract in order to allow him to sign with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of the Japan Pacific League.
Over 10 games with the Rays and A's last season, Allen collected two hits -- including one home run -- over 22 plate appearances. He also hit .245/.296/.404 with 13 doubles and six home runs between the minors and Japan.
Allen's spent parts of four seasons in the majors, hitting .203/.290/.375 over 389 plate appearances. Prior to being released by the Rangers, he hit .194/.306/.484 with four extra-base hits over 36 plate appearances during spring training.
