Travis Blackley has signed a one-year contract with Japan's Rakuten Golden Eagles. Blackey posted a 4.83 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 50 1/3 innings for the Astros and Rangers this past season. The 31-year-old is reportedly getting nearly $2 million from Rakuten, which is way more than he was going to receive from a major league club.

Travis Blackley cleared waivers and elected free agency. The Rangers waived Blackley after the season and he went untouched on the waiver wire. The Australian left-hander didn't exactly impress this past season -- he was DFA'd by the putrid Astros in August -- but he'll be a priority minor league free agent with a new organization this winter. Blackey posted a decent 4.10 ERA over 100-plus innings in 2012 prior to regressing to a 4.83 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 50 1/3 frames between two teams in 2013.

Travis Blackley surrendered three runs on five hits over six innings in a victory over the Mariners on Monday. He struck out four and walked one in improving to 2-1 with a 4.80 ERA over 42 relief appearances and two starts. This marks Blackey's first quality start since his last outing of 2012, which coincidentally came against Texas (as a member of the A's). The Australian left-hander hasn't exactly impressed this season -- he was, after all, DFA'd by the Astros less than three weeks ago -- but Blackey could potentially be used as an AL-only Band-Aid next time out against the Twins.

Travis Blackley is expected to make another start on Monday in Seattle against the Mariners. Blackley allowed two runs over four innings in a so-so spot start on Tuesday night against the Astros. He's not a recommended fantasy streamer against the M's.

Travis Blackley allowed two runs over four innings in a no-decision against the Astros on Tuesday. Blackley was making a spot start and held his own against his former team, holding the Astros to three hits and a walk. Alexi Ogando was placed on the disabled list on Tuesday so the Rangers will need to fill his rotation spot for a few more turns, but it's hard to envision the first-place club going forward with Blackley.

Rangers purchased the contract of LHP Travis Blackley from Triple-A Round Rock. Blackley will make a spot start for the Rangers on Tuesday against the Astros. He owns an ugly 5.28 career major-league ERA and is not a recommended fantasy streamer.

The Rangers will call up left-hander Travis Blackley to start Tuesday against the Astros. Blackley will start in place of Alexi Ogando, who is dealing with inflammation in a nerve near his right shoulder. Acquired from the Astros just last week, the 30-year-old has a 5.28 ERA in 23 starts and 55 relief appearances in the majors. He's not a fantasy option.

Rangers acquired LHP Travis Blackley from the Astros for cash considerations; assigned him to Triple-A Round Rock. Blackley posted a 4.85 ERA and 29/20 K/BB ratio over 35 innings with the Astros this season. He'll serve as organizational depth with Texas.

Travis Blackley cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Blackley now has three days to accept his assignment or opt to become a free agent. The southpaw had a 4.89 ERA in 35 innings with the Astros this year.

Astros designated LHP Travis Blackley for assignment. Blackley has posted a rough 4.89 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 35 innings of relief this season. The 30-year-old left-hander probably won't draw much interest on waivers.