LAS VEGAS -- The Rangers, who came into the Winter Meetings looking for a utility infielder, have claimed Carlos Asuaje off waivers from the Padres.
Asuaje has spent parts of the last three seasons with the Padres, being used almost exclusively at second base. He has also played first, third and left field in the Minors.
Asuaje has played in 175 games in the Majors, and over 586 plate appearances, he has a career batting average of .240 with 45 runs scored, six home runs, 42 RBIs and one stolen base. He has a .312 on-base percentage and a .329 slugging percentage.
"He has a good track record of bat-to-ball skills," Rangers assistant general manager Josh Boyd said. "He has quality at-bats, a toughness at the plate, and we like the way he plays the game all around."
Defense is Asuaje's forte. His .992 fielding percentage at second base over the past three years is the second highest among Major League second basemen with a minimum of 150 games played. His zone rating was the 12th highest among those 30 second basemen.
Finding a utility infielder is of high importance to the Rangers now that Jurickson Profar is their starting third baseman and Isiah Kiner-Falefa is going to concentrate on catching. Hanser Alberto was claimed off waivers by the Yankees on Nov. 2.
The Rangers claimed Jack Reinheimer from the Cubs on Nov. 20, and he has more experience than Asuaje at shortstop.