Mark

Hamburger

This means at least one of Yoshinori Tateyama, Scott Feldman and Darren O’Day will make the roster. Hamburger and Kirkman are being sent to the instructional league to stay sharp, so they could return if the Rangers advance to the ALCS.

The Rangers also reassigned right-hander Sean Green to minor league camp. Hamburger posted a 4.50 ERA and an ugly 1/6 K/BB ratio over 10 innings this spring. He’ll continue to serve as relief depth in the minor leagues.

Hamburger was designated for assignment by the Rangers over the weekend to clear a 40-man roster spot for Roy Oswalt. The 25-year-old right-hander had a rough 6.55 ERA in 45 1/3 innings this year at Triple-A Round Rock.

Hamburger passed through waivers last week. The 25-year-old has a 4.17 ERA this season at the Triple-A level.

The Padres activated outfielder Jeremy Hermida from the 60-day disabled list on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Tucson, so Hamburger was cleared to make room on the 40-man roster. The 25-year-old right-hander was claimed off waivers from the Rangers late last month posted an ugly 7.50 ERA in five appearances with the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate. There’s a chance he could stick around.

He was cleared in order to make room for Roy Oswalt on the 40-man roster. Hamburger has an ugly 6.55 ERA and 37/21 K/BB ratio over 45 1/3 innings this season with Triple-A Round Rock. There’s a decent chance he’ll pass through waivers unclaimed.

It’s the second time Hamburger has been twice claimed off waivers. He’ll continue to serve as organizational pitching depth.

Hamburger spent all of 2012 at Triple-A with three different organizations, posting an ugly 6.20 ERA over 43 appearances. He’ll now look to catch on elsewhere.

The suspension was not related to performance-enhancing drugs. Hamburger, a 26-year-old right-hander, was released by the Astros earlier this month.

In February, Hamburger was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for a drug of abuse. The Astros released him and he didn’t latch on with a team until now, so Hamburger will now serve his sentence. “You have a choice: You either take him at his word or not,” Brad Steil, the Twins’ director of minor league operations, said. “I know he’s made some changes in his life and he’s looking forward to getting back with an affiliated club. I think he’s earned a second chance, so to speak.” The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder had been hitting 95 on the gun with the independent St. Paul Saints.