Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers made it official on Tuesday, bolstering their bullpen by signing closer Joakim Soria to a two- year contract with a club option for 2015.
A two-time All-Star with the Kansas City Royals, Soria had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in April, forcing him to miss the entire 2012 season. Kansas City then opted to decline his $8 million option for 2013.
Soria, who also had reconstructive elbow surgery in 2003 to replace the same ligament, likely won't be able to start the season with the Rangers, who have Joe Nathan in their ninth-inning role. Nathan was signed by the Rangers one season after coming back from his own elbow surgery that cost him all of 2010.
Once he's ready, Soria will set up Nathan as a replacement for free agent Mike Adams.
The 28-year-old Soria was 13-15 with 160 saves and a 2.40 earned run average in 298 career games with the Royals. However, he struggled in 2011, going just 5-5 with 28 saves and a 4.03 ERA in 60 games and was removed as the team's closer for a short time.
