The Rangers have designated 26-year old righty reliever Cody Eppley for assignment. He pitched in 10 games (0 starts) for the Rangers last year and he was 1-1 with a 8.00 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. He pitched in 152 games (0 starts) in four years in the minors for the Rangers and he was 12-9 with 39 saves, a 2.86 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Eppley might get claimed off waivers by some team, but the Rangers hope they can keep him.

UPDATE: (4/6/2012) - The Rangers have lost Dody Eppley on waivers to the Yankees.

The Rangers have dealt 25-year old lefty swinging outfielder Kyle Hudson to the Tampa Bay Rays for future cash considerations. Hudson played in 14 games for the Orioles last year and he was 4 for 28 (.143 avg, .286 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 2 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He also played in 119 games in A+AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 125 of 423 (.296 avg, .711 OPS) with 60 runs scored, 0 homers, 23 RBIs and 41 stolen bases. The Rangers were likely going to cut Hudson, so it was smart for them to get something for him.

The Rangers have signed 27-year old righty reliever Jon Meloan to a minor league deal. Meloan pitched in 25 games (0 starts) in AA-ball for the A’s last year and he was 1-3 with 5 saves, a 4.67 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 for the A’s. He has pitched in 13 games (0 starts) in parts of three years in the majors and he is 0-0 with a 4.58 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He will start the 2012 season likely in AAA-ball for the Rangers.

The Rangers have acquired 23-year old lefty starter/reliever Kelvin De La Cruz from the Indians for a player to be named later. De La Cruz pitched in 23 games (16 starts) in AA-ball last year for the Indians and he was 5-6 with 2 saves, a 4.19 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. He has now pitched in 105 games (93 starts) in his first six years in the minors and he is 32-28 with 2 saves, a 4.21 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. De La Cruz might start the 2012 season in AAA-ball for the Rangers if he looks good this spring.

UPDATE: (3/16/2012) - The Rangers have deal Kelvin De La Cruz back to the Indians for cash considerations.

UPDATE: (3/19/2012) - The Rangers have dealt 27-year old right swinging 2B/SS Davis Stoneburner to the Indians to complete the first deal involving Kelvin De La Cruz. Stoneburner played in 116 games in AA-ball last year and he was 118 of 438 (.269 avg, .755 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 9 homers, 47 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. He’s past the prospect stage, so the Rangers won’t miss him.

The Rangers have signed 31-year old lefty reliever Neal Cotts to a minor league deal. Cotts has not pitched in a game since the 2009 season due to Tommy John Surgery. Cotts pitched for the Cubs in 2009. He has now pitched in 284 games (5 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 10-12 with 1 save, a 4.63 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Cotts will have a good shot of winning a job in the Rangers’ bullpen if he proves his elbow is sound in spring training.