It appears that long-time Atlanta Braves pitcher, Mike Minor, has found a new home with the Texas Rangers. Ken Rosenthal is reporting the news, but financial terms and length of contract is not yet known.

Free-agent left-hander Mike Minor in agreement with #Rangers, sources tell The Athletic. Terms not known. Performance as reliever last season, background as starter gives Texas options. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2017

Sources confirm to The Athletic: #Rangers’ initial plan with Minor is to use him as starter, as @Evan_P_Grant said. But as noted earlier, Minor gives team other options, if necessary. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2017

Mike Minor has a multiyear deal with the Rangers and is expected to start, as sources confirm @Ken_Rosenthal report. And this may be the signing that breaks the free agent dam. There’s a lot of movement in the pitching market happening now, and it may start to move quickly here. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 5, 2017

Report: Mike Minor Signs With Texas Rangers

Minor’s Career Profile

Drafted in 2009 by the Braves seventh overall, he would not have to wait long for his MLB debut. Minor would make his MLB debut for the Braves on August 9th, 2010. His MLB debut came after he was a part of the 2010 All-Star Futures Game, representing the United States. In his third career start against the Chicago Cubs, Minor struck out 12 batters, setting a Braves record for most strikeouts in a game in a rookie season.

Starting his career as a starter, Minor had an adequate rookie year with a record of 3-2, a 5.98 ERA with 43 strikeouts in only 40.2 innings pitched. Minor would play for the Braves for five years but would be a member of the organization for six. During the 2015 season, Minor would not play due to rotary cuff inflammation.

After the 2016-17 season, Minor would sign a two-year contract with the Kansas City Royals worth $7.25 million. He would miss the entire 2016 season after still suffering from the shoulder pain that caused the rotator cuff inflammation. After that year, the Royals decided to put Minor into the bullpen and have him pitch as a reliever. After his year with the Royals as a reliever, the move to the bullpen seemed to pay off. His ERA in that year was a solid 2.55 with 88 strikeouts and six saves in 77.2 innings pitched. In his five years for Atlanta, he finished with a 4.10 ERA with 566 strikeouts in 652.2 innings pitched. Adding on the stats from Kansas City, for his career Minor has a 3.93 ERA with 654 strikeouts in 730.1 innings pitched.

The Impact Of The Signing

For the Rangers, they gain a pitcher who is flexible playing in both the bullpen and the rotation. Of course, his health is a major issue and Minor will need to prove that he is indeed healthy, but he will no doubt help this team. For Kansas City, they lose someone who was a bright spot on the team after resurging his career. Now Minor will look to continue that resurgence in a new system at his new home.

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