Verrett claimed off waivers by Rangers

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - According to multiple industry sources, the Rangers have claimed Rule 5 right-hander Logan Verrett off waivers from the Orioles.

Selected from the Mets in the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings in San Diego, the 24-year-old Verrett had impressed in spring training, posting a 1.93 ERA in 14 innings. He walked two and struck out 12. He was one of two Rule 5 pitchers in major league camp.

The Orioles acquired right-hander Jason Garcia from the Astros, who selected him from the Red Sox in the Rule 5. Verrett was considered the more polished of the two since he has made 28 starts at Triple-A, while the hard-throwing Garcia has never pitched above Single-A. Garcia has appeared in six Grapefruit League games, working to an 0.96 ERA in 9 1/3 innings, with seven walks and 11 strikeouts.

Given the composition of the bullpen, it was going to be hard for one of the Rule 5 picks to make the 25-man roster, much less both of them. The Orioles liked Verrett, and tried unsuccessfully to pass him through waivers.

Despite the change of teams, the same Rule 5 rules will apply to Verrett. The Rangers must keep him on their 25-man roster for the entire season or offer him back to the Mets for half of the $50,000 draft price.

It's a homecoming for Verrett, a native of The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston who pitched at Baylor in college.

In two separate tweets on his official Twitter account, Verrett said:

Headed back to Texas, couldn't be happier! #Rangers

-- Logan Verrett (@lverrett4) April 2, 2015

That being said, thank you to the @Orioles for the opportunity. First class organization w/ first class people. Enjoyed it there! #birdland

-- Logan Verrett (@lverrett4) April 2, 2015

Update: The transaction has been announced by both the Orioles and Rangers.