RHP Lisalverto Bonilla sent to Los Angeles Dodgers on waiver claim

Arlington, Texas - The Texas Rangers announced today that right-handed pitcher Lisalverto Bonilla (pronounced leez-al-VEHR-toe boh-NEE-ya) has been claimed on waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Additionally, four players have been assigned outright to Triple-A Round Rock of the Pacific Coast League: Infielder Kyle Blanks, catcher Carlos Corporan, and outfielders Antoan Richardson and Ryan Strausborger.

Bonilla, 25, spent the 2015 season on the Rangers 60-day disabled list after having 'Tommy John' ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow on April 15. He made his major league debut with Texas as a September call-up in 2014, going 3-0 with a 3.05 ERA in 5 games/3 starts. Bonilla was originally acquired in a December 9, 2012 trade with Philadelphia.

Blanks finished the campaign on the 60-day disabled list after having surgery on both feet over the season's final two months. He batted .313 with 3 home runs and 6 RBI in 18 games with Texas. Corporan hit .178 with 3 homers and 15 RBI in 33 games for the Rangers, and did not appear for the club after the All-Star break following a left thumb sprain. 

Richardson spent the entire season on the 60-day disabled list, initially due to March 27 surgery to repair a herniated L4-L5 disc in his lower back, and later with a broken foot suffered when he was hit by a pitch on July 27 while on injury rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Round Rock. Strausborger batted .200 with one HR and 3 RBI over 31 games with Texas this season, his first major league action after having his contract purchased from Round Rock on August 4. He batted .278 with 10 home runs and 34 RBI in 86 games with the Express.

With today's moves, the Rangers now have 38 players on the club's 40-man roster, as well as 4 players (Alex Claudio, Yu Darvish, Jurickson Profar, Nick Tepesch) on the 60-day disabled list.

FALL AND WINTER LEAGUE NOTES: The Arizona Fall League began play on October 13 and several Texas prospects are playing for the Surprise Saguaros…RHP Connor Sadzeck recorded 4 strikeouts over 2.0 scoreless innings in his Fall League debut on 10/16 at Mesa…after missing the entire 2015 regular season, RHP Sam Wolff permitted 3 runs (2 ER) over 4.0 innings in a start on 10/16 at Mesa…LHP Ryne Slack has retired 6 of 7 batters faced in 2 relief appearances for the Saguaros…OF Lewis Brinson has reached base safely in 8 of 20 plate appearances with 3 stolen bases…OF Ryan Cordell has reached safely in 10 of 11 games with Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League, batting .262 (11-42) with 2 doubles, a triple, 3 RBI, and 4 walks…Magallanes teammate OF Eduard Pinto is hitting .357 (10-28) with 2 doubles, 4 RBI, and 5 walks through his first 9 games…LHP Yohander Mendez tossed 3.0 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts in his lone start for Magallanes on 10/13 vs. Zulia.

The Rangers wrapped up instructional league play on Friday…Sadzeck allowed one run on 6 hits over 14.0 innings of work…LHP Sam Stafford permitted just one unearned run over 14.0 innings and recorded 17 strikeouts…INF/OF Evan Van Hoosier batted .448 (13-29) with 2 doubles and a triple…OF Chad Smith hit .361 (13-36) with 5 walks, 4 doubles, a home runs and 5 RBI over 14 games.