ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Veteran right-hander Jerome Williams is the next on the mound for the Texas Rangers.
The Rangers purchased Williams’ contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday to start the opener of a series against AL West-leading Oakland.
Williams was set to be the 52nd different player, and 31st pitcher, used by Texas this season. He was signed by the Rangers two weeks after being released by Houston.
To make room on the 25-man roster, outfielder Jake Smolinski was put on the disabled list a bone bruise in his left foot.
Left-hander Justin Marks was released to clear a 40-man spot. He was on the disabled list at Round Rock.
Williams starts in place of Nick Tepesch, who got an extra day of rest after having to pitch in the Rangers’ 14-inning loss at the New York Yankees on Tuesday night. Tepesch starts Saturday against the Athletics.
The 32-year-old Williams is 43-51 with a 4.45 ERA in 181 major league games since 2003 for San Francisco, the Chicago Cubs, Washington, Los Angeles Angels and Houston.
Williams was released by the Astros earlier month after going 1-4 with a 6.04 ERA in 26 relief appearances. He was 0-1 with a 6.10 ERA in two starts at Round Rock.
Smolinski was hitting .389 with three doubles and five RBIs in 11 games since getting called up from Round Rock on July 7. He had started 10 games in a row before fouling a pitch off the inside of his foot in a game Monday night at the New York Yankees.
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