Derek Lowe isn’t ready to hang it up just yet.
The former Red Sox right-hander, who won all three clinching games during Boston’s World Series run in 2004, has earned a spot on the Rangers’ Opening Day roster, Texas manager Ron Washington announced Tuesday.
Lowe signed a minor-league contract with the team earlier this month and is expected to be used primarily in middle-to-long relief.
Many doubted whether Lowe, who will turn 40 in June, had anything left in the tank after posting an ERA of 5.00 or higher in three consecutive seasons with Atlanta, Cleveland and the Yankees. But apart from a brutal outing against Anaheim last Thursday in which he served up four home runs, Lowe has been solid through spring training, holding opponents scoreless in three of his four appearances.
Lowe spent the finest seasons of his career in Boston, earning All-Star nods as both a closer and a starter and throwing his only no-hitter against Tampa Bay in 2002. Along with David Ortiz and Bronson Arroyo, he is one of just three players from the Red Sox’ 2004 championship roster that is currently under contract with a major league club.
Photo via Facebook/Texas Rangers
