Kanekoa

Texeira

The Yanks claimed Texeira off waivers from the Royals in late May but weren’t pleased with his performance (22.85 ERA in 4 1/3 innings) at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and released him in July. He’s never had much big league success and will simply act as organizational relief depth for the Reds.

Texeira, who spent 2012-13 at Triple-A with the Reds, had been with the independent league Bridgeport Bluefish. He’ll provide minor league depth.

Texeira, 23, has a 2.49 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over four seasons in the minors, reaching as high as Double-A. He possesses a pretty good slider, but his command is still iffy, walking 3.8 BB/9 with Double-A Trenton in ’09. He was acquired from the White Sox in the Nick Swisher trade last November.

It’s pretty bad that the White Sox actually had to throw in a minor league reliever just to come up with Wilson Betemit, Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez. The 22-year-old Texeira had a 1.33 ERA and 21 saves between Single-A Winson-Salem and Double-A Birmingham last season. His stuff is unexceptional, but he could surface as a middle reliever.

We’re guessing the Yankees won’t get Texeira back after losing him in the Rule 5 draft. He’s allowed just two runs -- one earned -- and seven hits in 12 innings this spring. Even if the Mariners choose not to keep him, someone figures to pluck him off waivers.

The Yanks claimed Texeira off waivers from the Royals in late May but weren’t pleased with his performance (22.85 ERA in 4 1/3 innings) at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Texeira, a Rule 5 pick over the winter who was claimed off waivers from the Mariners in June, has turned into a worthwhile no-risk pickup for the Royals. He’s posted a 4.64 ERA in 42 2/3 innings for Kansas City and previously produced a 2.49 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over four minor league seasons. The 24-year-old could be back next month.

The M’s selected Texeira 16th overall from the Yankees in last winter’s Rule 5 Draft. He allowed 22 hits over 18 2/3 innings in the big leagues this season, though, and will be free to return to the Bronx soon.

He actually made the throw to first base to retire Encarnacion, but was forced to leave the game. He was replaced by Kanekoa Texeira. Lerew gave up three runs over 1 1/3 innings.

Texeira had been out since the end of August with a strained elbow. He’ll resume working in middle relief.