Kohei Arihara clears waivers, is outrighted

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty ImagesTexas Rangers pitcher Kohei Arihara has cleared waivers and been outrighted to AAA Round Rock, the team announced yesterday. As part of that announcement, it was indicated that Arihara is expected to start for Round Rock this coming weekend.

Arihara clearing waivers was not unexpected, as the righthander is due a guaranteed $3.6 million in 2022 by virtue of the two year deal he signed with the Rangers this past offseason. The 29 year old has not performed well since coming to the United States, putting up a 6.64 ERA and a 6.75 FIP in 40.2 IP, and so no team was expected to claim Arihara and inherit that salary obligation. Arihara was designated for…