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Rangers re-sign Tony Barnette, Chi Chi Gonzalez

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v Texas Rangers

The Rangers have re-signed right-handed pitchers Tony Barnette and Chi Chi Gonzalez, according to the club. Barnette receives a one-year, $1.5 million deal while Gonzalez gets a minor-league contract.

Today’s moves represent Texas cutting deals with both righties after letting them test the open market, as the Rangers declined a $4 million option on Barnette last month and non-tendered Gonzalez last week. Barnette’s new deal will pay him a fraction of the option value while Gonzalez’s contract does not guarantee him a major-league roster spot.

Barnette, 34, regressed in his second season in Arlington, working to a 5.49 ERA and 4.01 FIP in 57.1 innings. He successfully posted a 2.09 ERA in 53 appearances for the club in 2016 after coming over from Japan, so the team will hope he can re-gain that form in 2018.

Gonzalez, who turns 26 next month, missed the entire 2017 season and underwent Tommy John surgery in July. He’ll likely miss a good chunk of 2018 as well, causing Texas to non-tender him and bring him back on a minor-league contract.

Gonzalez, a former top prospect, owns a career 4.54 ERA in 77.1 major-league innings over two years.

Texas also signed outfielder/pitcher Anthony Gose, left-hander David Hurlbut and infielder Christian Lopes to minor-league deals.