ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers announced Friday they will purchase the contract of right-hander Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez on Saturday, and he is scheduled to make his major league debut that night, starting against the Boston Red Sox.
Gonzalez, 23, was 3-5 with a 4.15 ERA in eight starts this season for Triple-A Round Rock. In 43⅓ innings, he allowed 46 hits and walked 19 while striking out 26.
He was the Rangers' minor league pitcher of the year last season, splitting time between Double-A Frisco and Class A Myrtle Beach. He combined to go 12-6 with a 2.66 ERA, striking out 113 in 138⅔ innings.
Gonzalez was the Rangers' first-round draft pick, 23rd overall, in 2013. He was the Southland Conference's pitcher of the year that season for Oral Roberts.