The Texas Rangers have signed left-handed pitcher Aaron Poreda, reports Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan:
Former 1st-rounder Aaron Poreda signs minor league deal with Texas. Now healthy after Tommy John, Poreda fastball was up to 97 in a workout.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 17, 2013
Poreda, 27, was drafted in the first round, 25th overall by the White Sox in 2007. He made his big-league debut in 2009 with Chicago, before being dealt to San Diego in the trade that sent right-handed starter Jake Peavy to Chicago.
Poreda has only 13 1/3 big-league innings under his belt, along with a 2.70 ERA and 1.73 WHIP. He struck out 12 but walked 13.
Poreda didn't pitch at all in 2013. He has a 2.66 ERA in 193 career innings in Double-A, but a 5.60 ERA in 141 1/3 innings in Triple-A.
Rangers struck gold with another lefty comeback this year: Neal Cotts. Poreda could work as a power bullpen arm if he throws more strikes.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 17, 2013
