Austin

Bibens-Dirkx

Bibens-Dirkx will give the Dodgers someone capable of starting or relieving at Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 36-year-old hasn’t seen any action in the majors since 2018.

Bibens-Dirkx rejoined the Rangers organization late last year after a stay in Taiwan with the Uni-President Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. The 35-year-old right-hander holds a career 5.27 ERA in 114 1/3 innings at the MLB level.

Bibens-Dirkx signed with a team in China over the offseason but now finds himself back in the Rangers organization. The 34-year-old posted a 5.27 ERA over the last two seasons for Texas.

Bibens-Dirkx confirmed the news on Instagram on Sunday while also announcing that he and his wife are expecting their first child. The 33-year-old posted a 5.27 ERA and 71/34 K/BB ratio in 114 1/3 innings with the Rangers over the past two seasons. He required surgery on his left knee last September and was outrighted off the Rangers’ roster following the season.

Bibens-Dirkx held a 6.20 ERA in 2018. He’s now off the 40-man roster.

This news helps to explain why the 33-year-old right-hander had not appeared in a game over the last week. Bibens-Dirkx finishes the 2018 season with a 6.20 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in six starts and seven relief appearances. He is expected to be ready for spring training in 2019.

The 31-year-old was plucked from the Independent Atlantic League during the 2016 season and went on to post a 4.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 62/25 K/BB ratio over 85 innings in 17 appearances (13 starts) at Triple-A Round Rock. He’ll add much-needed rotation depth for the Rangers.

It will be the first major league start for Bibens-Dirkx, who has registered a 3.97 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 9/3 K/BB ratio in 11 1/3 innings of relief since his callup from Triple-A Round Rock on May 7. The 32-year-old right-hander is not a recommended fantasy streamer versus Tampa Bay.

Bibens-Dirkx, 32, has been pitching in the minors and even independent ball since 2006 and is finally getting a shot in the big leagues. He earned a promotion after holding a 3.04 ERA and 20/7 K/BB ratio over 23 2/3 frames for Round Rock.

He surrendered five base hits, walked three batters and struck out two while settling for a no-decision. He was touched up for a two-run homer by Steven Souza in the second inning. This was the first career start for the 32-year-old rookie after making four appearances in relief. He has a 4.50 ERA with 11 strikeouts and six walks in 16 innings of work.