Hauschild, Leclerc, Alvarez make bullpen

ARLINGTON -- Right-handers Mike Hauschild and José Leclerc as well as left-hander Dario Álvarez have made the Rangers' Opening Day roster. Hauschild and Alvarez received word from manager Jeff Banister before Saturday's final exhibition game, a 5-3 win over the Royals. Leclerc learned the news afterward.
Hauschild will serve as a middle/long reliever, awaiting his Major League debut. Texas selected him in December's Rule 5 Draft from the Astros.
The 27-year-old spent five seasons in Houston's organization, the past four mainly as a starting pitcher. He hasn't pitched full-time in relief since his first year in 2012 while in Rookie ball. But Hauschild won a job this Spring Training with his relief work.

Hauschild made five relief appearances in the Cactus League and did not allow a run in 10 2/3 innings. He gave up five hits and two walks while striking out 12.
This marks the second time in three years the Rangers have taken a player from the Astros in the Rule 5 Draft and put him on the Opening Day roster. The other was Delino DeShields in 2015.
Alvarez won a job as a second left-handed reliever in the bullpen (joining Alex Claudio) with a 0.79 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP in 11 1/3 Cactus League innings over 10 appearances. He also held right-handed hitters to a .161 (5-for-31) batting average.
The 28-year-old has pitched in the big leagues in each of the past three seasons with the Mets, Braves and Rangers. Texas acquired him from the Braves along with pitcher Lucas Harrell for Minor League infielder Travis Demeritte.

Alvarez has shown flashes of dominance throughout his career, with a fastball that averages 92-93 mph and a wicked slider as his strikeout pitch. He has averaged 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings in his Minor League career.
LeClerc is a rookie right-hander with a 97-mph fastball and enough secondary stuff to average 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings in the Minors.

The 23-year-old struck out 15 in 15 innings for the Rangers last year, but he also walked 13. He did a better job with his command this spring, with 13 strikeouts and six walks in 11 1/3 innings over 10 outings.