The White Sox claimed Speas off waivers from the Rangers on Tuesday.
Speas was designated for assignment by Texas on the second-to-last day of the regular season. He allowed three earned runs in just two major-league innings this year but posted a 2.86 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 56.2 innings between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock.
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Rangers' Alex Speas: Dropped from 40-man
Rotowire
The Rangers designated Speas for assignment Saturday.
After giving up three runs over two innings during a brief major-league stint in July, Speas was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock, and the selection of Matt Bush from the minors will now push Speas off the 40-man roster. Speas will likely go unclaimed off waivers and projects to begin next season in Triple-A.
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Rangers' Alex Speas: Sent down to Triple-A
Rotowire
Speas was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.
Speas impressed in his major-league debut but was then knocked around in his next two appearances. Spencer Howard will take his spot in the bullpen.
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Rangers' Alex Speas: Makes flashy debut
Rotowire
Speas struck out three over 1.2 hitless and scoreless innings to earn a hold in Wednesday's 5-1 win over Tampa Bay.
Speas, who was called up earlier in the day, made his MLB debut which included striking out All-Stars Wander Franco, Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena. The Rangers needed bullpen length due to Jon Gray being removed during the fifth inning after taking a comebacker off his leg. Speas and Brock Burke combined for 3.2 scoreless innings with just one hit allowed and six strikeouts.
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Rangers' Alex Speas: Called up from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rangers selected Speas' contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.
Speas will join the major-league roster for the first time in his career after being selected in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft. The right-hander has produced a 2.35 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 12 strikeouts over 7.2 innings in five appearances with Round Rock this season. In order to make a spot on the 40-man roster for Speas, left-hander Taylor Hearn was designated for assignment Wednesday.
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Rangers' Alex Speas: Promoted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Speas was promoted Tuesday to Triple-A Round Rock, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Speas earned the level bump after delivering a 0.64 ERA with 47 strikeouts across 28.1 innings this season at Double-A Frisco. He hadn't allowed a run there since May 21. The 25-year-old did not pitch professionally in 2022, instead opting to take a job as a high school baseball coach, but he reported to the minor-league side of Rangers camp this spring and is now just one step away from reaching the majors.
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Rangers' Alex Speas: Resuming career
Rotowire
Speas joined the Rangers for minor-league camp this week and has elected to resume his playing career after spending most of the 2022 season on the restricted list, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
During his last full season in 2021, the 24-year-old right-hander struggled to the tune of an 11.15 ERA, 2.48 WHIP and 30:26 K:BB across 15.1 innings between stops at Double-A Frisco and the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. The Rangers will likely assign Speas to a lower-level affiliate to begin the season with the hope that he can regain confidence and show improved control. A 2016 second-round draft pick, Speas is blessed with a fastball that can hit the triple digits, so he could have some developmental upside as a reliever if he's able to find the strike zone on a consistent basis.
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Rangers' Alex Speas: Back in action at Double-A
Rotowire
Speas (elbow) returned from Double-A Frisco's 7-day injured list Tuesday and gave up a run on one hit and one walk over one inning in his first appearance with the affiliate since May 22.
An inflamed right elbow kept Speas on the shelf for just over three months. The 2016 second-round pick has worked exclusively as a reliever at Frisco this season, giving up 11 earned runs in 7.1 innings across eight appearances.
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Rangers' Alex Speas: Conducting rehab in FCL
Rotowire
Speas (elbow) initiated a rehab assignment with the Rangers' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate Aug. 13 and has tossed 3.1 scoreless innings while striking out seven across two outings.
Double-A Frisco placed Speas on its 7-day injured list in late May when he was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation, but he looks to be nearing the finish line in his recovery. Speas worked two innings in his most recent appearance Friday, so he shouldn't need more than another outing or two in the FCL before rejoining the Frisco bullpen.
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Rangers' Alex Speas: Out until July with elbow injury
Rotowire
Speas was diagnosed Thursday with right elbow inflammation and will be shut down for the next four weeks before being re-evaluated, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Speas was placed on the 7-day injured list at Double-A Frisco over the weekend due to the elbow issue. Though inflammation typically isn't viewed as a major injury, the Rangers may be inclined to take a more cautious approach with the 23-year-old, given that he underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2018.
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Rangers' Alex Speas: Shut down with sore elbow
Rotowire
Double-A Frisco placed Speas on its 7-day injured list Sunday due to a sore right elbow, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Speas is scheduled to undergo further evaluation before the Rangers provide a timeline for his return to action, but the initial diagnosis of a sore elbow is concerning for a pitcher who required Tommy John surgery in June 2018. The 2016 second-round pick has been regularly hitting triple digits with his fastball thus far in the Double-A season, but control has been an issue (11 walks in 6.1 innings).
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Rangers' Alex Speas: Invited to summer camp
Rotowire
Speas was added to the Rangers' 60-man player pool Sunday.
Speas, who is not on the 40-man roster, is an intriguing sleeper candidate for the abbreviated 60-game season. The 22-year-old right-hander has no restrictions after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery in 2018. He appeared in two rookie-league games in 2019 and, prior to the shutdown, was expected to advance quickly through the minor-league system in 2020 and possibly pitch in the majors, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. His fastball reached 102 mph during spring training.
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Rangers' Alex Speas: No restrictions in 2020
Rotowire
Speas has recovered from Tommy John elbow surgery and will have no restrictions in 2020, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Speas emerged from rehab this spring throwing 102 MPH, which concerned the Rangers that he was coming out too hot. They shut him down for a stretch, but the 22-year-old right-hander will face no restrictions. The Rangers had hoped he'd move quickly through the system. It's unclear if Speas will be part of the proposed taxi squad teams may be allowed to carry during an abbreviated season.
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Rangers' Alex Speas: Set for Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
Speas is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery on Monday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic Dallas reports.
Speas last pitched for Low-A Hickory on June 11 and had a 2.20 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 49 strikeouts across 28.2 innings this season. The 20-year-old had yet to resolve his command issues, having issued 21 walks in 2018, but he's now likely to be sidelined for most if not all of the 2019 season.
