Texas Rangers sign OF Carlos Gomez to minor-league deal

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Texas Rangers have signed outfielder Carlos Gomez and assigned him to Triple-A Round Rock.

Gomez, who signed a minor-league contract Saturday, has a career average of .256 with 108 home runs in 1,171 games with the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros. He was an All-Star with the Brewers in 2013 and 2014 and Gold Glove Award winner in 2013.

He struggled this season, batting .210 (62-for-295) with five home runs, 16 doubles and 29 RBIs with the Astros. He was designated for assignment on August 10 and given his unconditional release Saturday.

"(Gomez) is 30 years old, still in his physical prime," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "Sometimes things just don't work out the way acquiring clubs intend, and obviously we're taking a chance on him, thinking he's better than his most recent performance in Houston. Outside of the last 12 months or so, he's been very productive."

Daniels says if Gomez gets called up he will play in one of the corner outfield spots.

"Ian Desmond's our center fielder," Daniels added.