The Rangers added veteran left-hander Joe Beimel on a major league deal earlier this month, but he pitched awful during Cactus League action and was given his release by the club this afternoon.
Beimel was set to earn a $1.5 million if he made the Opening Day roster, but the contract was not guaranteed. The 37-year-old pitched himself out of the opportunity by allowing 14 runs (11 earned) on 13 hits (including three homers) and two walks over just three innings of work. Ouch.
Beimel had a 2.20 ERA and 25/14 K/BB ratio over 45 innings with the Mariners last season while holding left-handed batters to a .188/.217/.288 batting line. He could still have some value in a specialist role. The Mets are among the teams looking for a left-handed reliever at the moment.
