The Rangers are close to signing right-handed pitcher Derek Lowe to a minor-league deal with expectations of him becoming a swing starter/reliever with the major-league club, according to a tweet and report by Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.

Lowe, 39, pitched for the Indians and Yankees in 2012 totaling 21 starts in Cleveland and 17 appearances in relief for New York. He compiled a 5.11 ERA with 3.5 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 142 2/3 innings.

The Rangers reportedly have been looking at potential fifth starters — including Kyle Lohse and Rick Porcello after Martin Perez was projected to miss four weeks with a fractured bone in his forearm

Source: Rangers on verge of signing RHP Derek Lowe to minor league deal, but he will make club, probably in swing role. Story coming.—
Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) March 06, 2013

The Yankees have acquired pitcher Derek Lowe, who reportedly has agreed to pitch out of the bullpen. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

With ace CC Sabathia going on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday with elbow soreness, the New York Yankees wanted to pick up an extra arm for the stretch run.

The team acquired right hander Derek Lowe, who was given his release earlier this week from the Cleveland Indians, reports CBSSports.com. Lowe has reportedly agreed to pitch out of the bullpen.

Lowe, 39, was 8-10 in 21 starts in Cleveland with a 5.52 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and a career-low 3.1 K/9. He has given up 156 hits in 119 innings pitched this season.  His last start was against Kansas City on July 31 where he was rocked for seven earned runs, eight hits in only 2.1 innings of work. The ERA in his last 3 starts was 15.88.

The Cleveland Indians designated right-hander Derek Lowe for assignment after Wednesday’s loss to the Kansas City Royals. Lowe, 39, is 8-10 with a 5.52 ERA this season and has lost his last four starts.

Lowe’s rubber arm and versatility (he has been an All-Star as a starter and a closer) could be enticing to teams looking for another right-hander. But as Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer points out, Lowe has faded significantly in each of the last two seasons, going 4-10 with a 6.20 ERA with the Atlanta Braves after the All-Star break in 2011 and going 2-8 with an 8.28 ERA in his last 13 starts with the Indians.

Lowe is in the final year of a four-year contract that pays him $15 million this season, although the Braves are paying $10 million of that.

Rookie right-hander Corey Kluber will make his first major-league start on Thursday.

Indians pitcher Derek Lowe said he has “no respect” for Reds manager Dusty Baker. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The war of words between Cincinnati Reds manager and Cleveland Indians pitcher Derek Lowe have reached a fever pitch.

Lowe thought a 96-mph fastball from Reds starter Mat Latos pitch came in too high while he was batting in the Reds’ 5-3 interleague victory yesterday. Lowe then pointed toward the Reds’ bench and yelled at Baker. Baker then waved his finger at Lowe.

“Dusty will deny it. It has everything to do with him. You can go ask him. He’ll deny it like he has no idea,” Lowe said after the game. “They’ve been trying to do this [stuff] for years.” Lowe then said he had “no respect” for Baker.

Baker said he did call for the pitch to be inside. “I’m not denying anything,” Baker said. “I didn’t order anybody to hit him, but I told [Latos] to buzz him and make him uncomfortable. That’s what happened.”