Kansas City has snagged ex-Rangers right-hander Josh Rupe on a minor league deal, presumably with a forthcoming invitation to big league spring training. His story has been one fraught with frustration and unfulfilled promise ... there's considerable talent there and always has been, but the injuries and poor performance have simply overpowered the upside.

The Rangers' last-ditch attempt to salvage Rupe's once-burgeoning career came back in April, when it was announced -- after he cleared waivers, mind you -- that he would be shipped to extended spring training in Arizona with the intention of converting him back into a starting pitcher for Triple-A Oklahoma City. His response was his single worst full-season ERA and WHIP as a professional (6.67 and 1.75, respectively, in 89 minor league innings), and suffice it to say that this wasn't exactly enough to get him another look in the majors after his abridged mid-April struggles in the bullpen.

Hoping that the Royals can extract something useful out of Rupe, but unless he experiences a miraculous epiphany and starts slashing his walk rates while upping his strikeout rates, he'll probably remain on the fringes of the majors, riding the Omaha-to-Kansas City shuttle back and forth until (a) he gets it together or (b) the Royals move on. It's sad, but it's the harsh reality of professional baseball.