ARLINGTON, Texas, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The Texas Rangers, attempting to improve a pitching staff that was the worst in baseball last season, Wednesday signed free agent Dave Burba to a one-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed for Burba, who rejoins Rangers general manager John Hart in Texas.
A durable righthander, Burba was just 10-10 with a 6.21 ERA in 32 games for the Cleveland Indians last season. He finishing tied for eighth in the American League in runs (112) and earned runs allowed (104) while allowing opponents to hit .305.
The 35-year-old Burba won 15, 15 and 16 games in his first three seasons with the Indians after coming over in a trade from the Cincinnati Reds. He started at least 32 games each year but his ERA was over 4.00 in each of those seasons.
The Rangers finished last in the major leagues with a 5.71 ERA last year. Texas was looking for a starter to replace Darren Oliver, who was traded to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Carl Everett.
Burba has pitched over 1,500 innings in a career spent with the Indians, Reds (1995-97), Seattle Mariners (1990-91) and San Francisco Giants (1992-95). He owns a career record of 105-80.
Burba is the second former player from the Indians to join the Rangers in as many days. Hart, who spent 10 seasons as general manager of the Indians before landing in Texas this year, announced Tuesday the team had acquired reliever John Rocker for minor league pitcher David Elder.
