The Rangers have signed 31-year old righty swinging infielder Esteban German to a minor league deal. German played in 89 games for the Royals last year and he was 53 for 216 (.245 avg, .643 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 22 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. He has now played in 366 games in his major league career and he is 262 for 946 (.277 avg, .741 OPS) with 139 runs scored, 7 homers, 102 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. The Rangers will stash German in AAA-ball and call him up if they suffer any injuries in the infield.

The Rangers have designated 26-year old righty swinging 3B Travis Metcalf for assignment. Metcalf played in 23 games for the Rangers last year and he was 13 for 56 (.232 avg, .868 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 6 homers and 14 RBIs. He played in 80 games in two seasons for the Rangers and he was 54 for 217 (.249 avg, .775 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 11 homers and 35 RBIs. The Rangers are probably hoping that he clears waivers so that they don’t lose him.

UPDATE: The Kansas City Royals have claimed Travis Metcalf off waivers.

The Rangers have released 37-year old switch hitting catcher Adam Melhuse. Melhuse played in 15 games for the Rangers and Rockies last year and he was 5 for 30 (.167 avg) with 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. He played in 31 games over two seasons with the Rangers and he was 18 for 88 (.205 avg) with 7 runs scored, 1 homer and 8 RBIs. The Rangers couldn’t find a spot for Melhuse despite his ties to manager Ron Washington from their days in Oakland together.

The Rangers have released 34-year old lefty swinging 1B/OF Frank Catalanotto. Catalanotto played in 88 games for the Rangers last season and he was 68 for 248 (.274 avg, .741 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 2 homers and 21 RBIs. He played in 191 games for the Rangers in his two seasons there and he was 154 for 579 (.266 avg) with 80 runs scored, 13 homers and 65 RBIs. Andruw Jones beat Catalanotto out for the final spot on the roster.