Rangers Notes: Valdez, Mendez, Pinto

The Rangers made a trio of signings today, according to Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com..

• The Rangers signed right-handed pitcher Merkin Valdez to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Round Rock.  The Dodgers released Valdez on Wednesday after he registered a 3.58 ERA with 7.7 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 in 50 1/3 innings at Triple-A.
• Texas also signed Venezuelan pitcher Yohander Mendez to a 2012 contract.  The 16-year-old is a 6-foot-5, 175-pound left-hander who played for Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League this past offseason.
• Outfielder Eduard Pinto, 16, also signed a 2012 contract with the Rangers.  Pinto, who stands at 5-foot-10 and weighs 155 pounds, also played for Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League last season.