Athletics signed RHP Merkin Valdez to a minor league contract. Valdez has never cashed in the potential he showed in the minors with the Giants and has appeared in just seven games at the big league level over the last two years. Now 30, he's a longshot to win a bullpen spot in spring training.

Merkin Valdez has elected free agency. Valdez was outrighted off the 40-man roster earlier this week. The 30-year-old has always teased with his live arm but has failed to sustain any prolonged level of success at the big league level. He'll seek out a spring training invite from another club.

Rangers sent RHP Merkin Valdez outright to Triple-A Round Rock. Valdez pitched only 4 1/3 innings in the major leagues this season. He's off the Rangers' 40-man roster.

Rangers purchased the contract of RHP Merkin Valdez from Triple-A Round Rock. Valdez found a home with the Rangers after being released by the Dodgers in July, posting a 2.35 ERA and 14/5 K/BB ratio over 15 1/3 innings with Triple-A Round Rock. The 30-year-old right-hander has a 5.53 ERA over 69 major league appearances, so he'll likely only pitch in lower-leverage situations down the stretch.

Dodgers released RHP Merkin Valdez. Valdez posted a 3.58 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 50 1/3 relief innings at Triple-A Albuquerque this season, but the Dodgers decided to move on from him. The righty was once a nice relief prospect for the Giants, but the 30-year-old's career is now totally up in the air.