In their never-ending quest to find depth in a season filled with injuries, the Rangers have signed veteran first baseman Carlos Pena to a minor-league contract.
Pena hit just .207 with eight homers and a .668 OPS in 89 games for the Astros (and very briefly the Royals) last season and then got released by the Angels during spring training this year. At age 36 he looks just about done, posting a combined .678 OPS in 249 games since 2012--but if nothing else Pena can still draw plenty of walks and smack some homers.
For now he’ll go to Triple-A and try to convince the Rangers he still has something left in the tank. Texas has already lost Prince Fielder and Mitch Moreland, so it’s a good opportunity for Pena.
