Rangers Give Jennings Shot at Comeback

Jason Jennings spent six years in Colorado and somehow emerged with a positive record and a positive ERA+. But not unscathed. A torn flexor tendon cropped up, and Jennings crapped out.

In Houston in 2007, Jennings went 2-9 with 6.45 ERA before surgery mercifully ended his season. At Texas in 2008, he was 0-5 with an 8.56 ERA before going under the knife a second time.

This time, Jennings and the Rangers believe, the repaired tendon will hold. Jennings says he feels better than he did at any point in 2008. And he'll get a chance to prove it when pitchers and catchers report to Rangers camp next week. On Friday, the Rangers signed Jennings to a minor-league contract.

Jennings may start the season in the minors, working his way back into shape. But the Rangers believe he can win back a place in the rotation. For a minor-league deal, it's worth finding out.

Transactions Report - 2/6/09

(Readers: Add your insight into today's transactions via comments.)

Arizona Diamondbacks: Signed pitcher Tom Gordon to a one-year contract. The contract is for $500,000 with $2.5 million in incentive clauses. "Flash" missed the second half of 2008 with elbow inflammation. Plus he's 41-years-old, so he's just plain creaky. Apparently, Jesse Orosco wasn't available.

Boston Red Sox: Signed catcher Jason Varitek to a one-year contract with club and player options for a second year. $5 million in 2009. Batted .220 with 13 homers in '08.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Signed pitcher Randy Wolf to a one-year contract. For the Dodgers, $5 million is a drop in the bucket. Which is probably what Wolf's impact will be, too.

Texas Rangers: Re-signed pitcher Jason Jennings to a minor league contract.

Toronto Blue Jays: Signed pitcher Ken Takahashi to a minor league contract. A 39-year-old with a losing record in Japan. A "what the hell, why not" move by the Jays.

Rockies Try Jason Hirsch -- Alias 'Colorado Lode'

Because those big bad National League batters have been kicking around poor Kip Wells so much -- with his 1-2 record and 5.14 ERA -- the Rockies speculatively are about to call up Triple A prospect Jason Hirsch, who has a 2-3 record with a 5.37 ERA against teams with names like Modesto Nuts.

Won't those bullies be sorry now?

Wells sealed his fate last week when he gave up eight runs in a third of an inning against the Dodgers. He is 59-91 with a 4.77 ERA lifetime as a starter, but after struggling all year with injuries and other setbacks has been demoted to the bench as a desperation mop-up candidate.

Toot! Toot! Next stop: Colorado Springs.

The 6-foot-8, 250-pound Hirsch -- alias 'The Colorado Lode' -- was sensational pitching in the Astros system before being acquired in the Jason Jennings trade.

Hirsch still has potential but has done little since. If the Rockies think Hirsch can skate by in a one-game, test shot against the Pirates this week, a surprise may be in store. Even without Xavier Nady -- off to join the Yankees -- the Pirates can hardly be considered pushovers.

The Rockies have a 25-year-old youngster named Steven Register also waiting at Colorado Springs, but he apparently hasn't registered. Register has shown enormous improvement recently with a 5-1 record and 2.78 ERA, but looks to be cultivated as an end-game reliever.