The search for value-based pitching options continues for the Rangers.
On Tuesday they added left-hander Jonathon Niese on a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training. Niese, 31, last pitched in the majors in 2016 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets. He was in camp with the New York Yankees last spring, but was released at the end of March. He re-signed a minor league deal with the Yankees, but did not pitch and was released in June.
Niese averaged 27 starts a season, mostly with the Mets, from 2010-16. His pitching coach for the entire stint with the Mets was Dan Warthen, now the Rangers' assistant pitching coach.