Texas brings DeShields back on Minors deal

The Rangers signed outfielder Delino DeShields and right-handed pitcher Sam Gaviglio to Minor League deals with Spring Training invitations, they announced on Monday.

DeShields returns to Texas after spending 2020 with the Indians. He was traded to Cleveland in December 2019 for right-handed pitcher Corey Kluber, who pitched only one inning for the Rangers in 2020 before a shoulder injury ended his season. In 37 games with Cleveland, DeShields hit .252 with seven RBIs. He was non-tendered by Cleveland and elected free agency.

DeShields appeared in 539 games with the Rangers from 2015-19 and was named the club's Rookie of the Year in ‘15.

With Gold Glove Award winner Joey Gallo in right field and offseason signing David Dahl presumably in left, DeShields will compete with Leody Taveras for the starting spot in center. Taveras made his Major League debut in 2020, hitting .227 in 33 games. Should Taveras win the job, DeShields can be a versatile backup across the outfield.

The outfield mix will also include Willie Calhoun as he looks to bounce back from a lackluster 2020 season, but he’s more likely to take reps at DH to start the year.

Gaviglio spent 2020 with the Blue Jays, appearing in four games with a 9.00 ERA. He has a 4.88 ERA in his career, which has included stops in Seattle and Kansas City.

In his four-year career, he has worked mostly as a middle reliever and led MLB in relief innings with 95.2 in 2019. He figures to provide depth out of the bullpen for the Rangers.