The Texas Rangers have waived pitcher Ross Detwiler after he declined a demotion to the Minor Leagues. This decision stems from Detwiler's dismal performance so far for the Rangers. The Rangers acquired him from Washington Nationals this past offseason for two prospects. The team got him hoping that he would give them some much-needed depth in the rotation.

Detwiler becomes a free agent on Friday if he clears waivers, and that appears likely.

In seven starts this season for the Rangers, Detwiler posted a record of 0-5 with an ERA of 6.95 and WHIP of 1.907. He was sent to the bullpen after a stint on the disabled list with a shoulder inflammation. When he came back to make 10 relief appearances, his ERA went from 6.95 to 7.12. He had the highest ERA in the Majors this season among pitchers with at least 40 innings before the Rangers waived him.

Detwiler's numbers this past season were nothing but embarrassing. The Rangers did not expect him to pitch that poorly. When they acquired him from Washington, they expected him to become a good pitcher that could produce in the starting rotation. He had two seasons in Washington (2011 and 2012) in which he posted ERA's of 3.00 and 3.40, respectively. In the last two seasons, he still had respectable ERA's of 4.04 as a starter in 2013 and 4.00 as a reliever last season. What the Rangers got instead was someone who could not stop giving up so many runs this season.

Even though Detwiler had a bad season, there is still an upside to him. He is still a good depth pitcher that a manager can put in either the bottom of his rotation or in the bullpen. He has good command of his pitches, and he can throw well. He did that with Washington, but the pressure was too high on him in Texas. He could not handle it.

On the Rangers' side of things, they had to get rid of him as soon as possible. It was destined that they were going to waive him after he declined his demotion to the Minors. No team was going to take him after the horrible season that he was having. So it is better to get rid of him now than to wait until later into the season when the situation gets a lot worse.

On the Detwiler side of things, he needed to get out of Texas fast. He needs to go to a team that will not put a lot of pressure on him. He is left-handed, so he should get another chance before long.