ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have reached an agreement with left-handed pitcher Jonathon Niese on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
Niese has made 197 Major League starts during nine seasons, mostly with the Mets. He has a long relationship with Rangers assistant pitching coach Dan Warthen, who was the Mets pitching coach during Niese's time in New York.
But Niese did not pitch in the Major Leagues last season and has been signed to give the Rangers needed depth in their rotation. The Rangers now have 62 players coming to Spring Training, with pitchers and catchers reporting Feb.