The Rangers have announced minor-league pacts with infielder Hanser Alberto and righty Kevin Jepsen. Both will receive MLB Spring Training invitations.
The 25-year-old Alberto was non-tendered by the Rangers earlier in the offseason, but he’ll remain with the only organization he has known. Alberto missed the bulk of the season due to a shoulder issue but had previously reached the majors, where he struggled in limited playing time. In 616 career plate appearances at Triple-A, Alberto carries a .296/.320/.430 batting line with a dozen home runs.
As for Jepsen, the 2017 season was the first since 2007 in which he had failed to appear in the majors. The 33-year-old reliever had been an effective performer and even stepped into a closing role during the 2015 campaign, but ran into trouble beginning with the ensuing season. He ended up throwing only 23 2/3 Triple-A innings in 2017, over which he permitted 5.32 earned runs per nine — in large part due to surrendering five home runs — but did generate 11.0 K/9 against 3.8 BB/9.
The ghost of Kevin Jepsen returns!
Geez, why recycle this guy. Was Eric Gange busy?