Rangers call up 30-year-old pitcher seeking MLB debut after putting reliever Garcia on IL
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers placed left-handed reliever Robert Garcia on the 15-day injured list because of left shoulder inflammation Thursday and called up Peyton Gray, an undrafted 30-year-old right-hander looking for his big league debut. Gray had a 278-game journey the last eight years through the minor leagues, independent ball and four winters outside the United States before getting his first call-up to the majors. Garcia last pitched April 16 , though the IL move could only be made retroactive to Monday.
To make room for Gray on the 40-man roster, minor league catcher Willie MacIver was designated for assignment. After being in the Rangers' minor league system last season, Gray impressed in spring training this year as a non-roster invite. He had 2.
53 ERA in nine appearances with 18 strikeouts and one walk over 10 2/3 innings. “Being the 30-year-old non-roster invite that doesn’t have any big league time, I don’t think they expected me to put up as many zeroes and throw as many strikes as I did,” Gray said in the Rangers clubhouse before a series finale against Pittsburgh. “So I think I surprised them.
I might have surprised myself a little bit too. ” Gray, who said he was just happy to still have a job pitching after spring training, began this season at Triple-A Round Rock. He threw 12 1/3 scoreless innings over seven games, going 1-0 with two saves, 15 strikeouts and two walks.
“What a story this is going to be when he gets on the mound. The journey is from minor leagues to independent ball to international, the whole deal. It’s an incredible story and earned,” manager Skip Schumaker said.