ARLINGTON (AP)  The Texas Rangers have signed a pair of 16-year-old players from Venezuela.

The signings of left-hander Yohander Mendez and outfielder Eduard Pinto to 2012 contracts were announced Sunday. The Rangers also signed right-hander Merkin Valdez to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Round Rock.

Texas earlier this month signed a pair of 16-year-old outfielders from the Dominican Republic earlier this month.
Valdez was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. He was 4-2 with four saves in 38 relief appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque.

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