Rangers claim Stolmy Pimentel

Right-hander Stolmy Pimentel has been claimed off waivers by the Toronto Texas Rangers.  The Pirates designated Pimentel for assignment last Sunday in order to finalize their roster for the start of the season.  The move was slightly surprising given that Charlie Morton's trip to the disabled list would have allowed them to keep Pimentel, who was out of options, but they chose to go with Rob Scahill instead.  The decision may have reflected the team's belief that Pimentel simply wasn't ready to pitch in the majors and that they couldn't afford to carry him as the equivalent of a Rule 5 selection, as they did last year.

Pimentel came to the Pirates from Boston in the Joel Hanrahan Brock Holt trade in 2012.  He looked promising in a September callup the following year, allowing just six hits and two walks, with nine strikeouts, in nine and a third innings.  Last year, though, he had a 5.23 ERA in 32.2 IP, although he did strike out 38.  The Pirates were no doubt hoping Pimentel would clear waivers so he could get the experience he'd missed in AAA.  The Rangers, however, are into their second straight year of losing their pitching staff to injuries.

Shortstop Pedro Florimon remains in DFA status for now.