Rangers drop Nitkowski, Rivera, Sadler

ARLINGTON, Texas, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The Texas Rangers announced on Monday that lefthanded reliever C.J. Nitkowski, outfielder Ruben Rivera and infielder Donnie Sadler have been granted free agency after refusing outright assignments to the minor leagues.

All three players cleared outright waivers on Monday.

Nitkowski was 0-1 with a 2.63 ERA in 12 relief appearances with the Rangers and 3-5 with a 4.75 ERA in 49 games in the Pacific Coast League last season.

Rivera batted .209 with four homers and 14 RBI in 69 games with Texas and .300 with 17 homers and 66 RBI in 76 games with Oklahoma and Tulsa.

Sadler hit just .163 with seven RBI in 73 games with Kansas City and Texas.

The Rangers also announced on Monday that third baseman Hank Blalock underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow and is expected to be fully ready for spring training. Blalock batted .211 with three homers and 17 RBI in 49 games with Texas and .307 with eight home runs and 62 RBI in 95 games at Oklahoma.