Irwin signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Friday, MLB.com reports.

Irwin has been out of baseball all season, and the extensive time off will probably prevent him from emerging as a starting option for the Rangers. Instead, he'll look to rebuild his value in the minor-league ranks, most likely settling at Triple-A Round Rock, where he pitched in 2014. In 51.1 innings with Round Rock (10 starts) last season, Irwin went 5-2 with a 3.51 ERA and a 56:25 K:BB ratio.

Irwin was released by the Rangers on Friday, MLB.com reports.

Irwin pitched in one game with the Rangers, allowing three runs in four innings of work. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Indianapolis where he accumulated a 8.72 ERA and 1.75 Whip over 21.2 innings. The 27 year-old will now need to look for work elsewhere.

Rangers optioned RHP Phil Irwin to Triple-A Round Rock.

Irwin started in place of Nick Martinez (side) on Tuesday and allowed three runs over four innings against the Astros. The Rangers have called up Matt West to take his place on the active roster.

Phil Irwin gave up three runs on six hits over four innings in a season-debut loss to the Astros on Tuesday.

Irwin walked two and struck out two, and he surrendered a home run to George Springer among his six hits allowed. It was the first major league start this year for the 28-year-old, and even if he sticks around he's not likely to be worth much to fantasy teams.

Rangers recalled RHP Phil Irwin from Triple-A Round Rock.

Irwin will start Tuesday against the Astros in place of Nick Martinez, who was placed on the disabled list with a left side injury. Irwin has posted good numbers this year at Triple-A but he's not a great fantasy bet.

The Rangers will call up right-hander Phil Irwin to start Tuesday against the Astros.

He'll start in place of Nick Martinez, who is dealing with soreness in his left side. Irwin was claimed off waivers from the Pirates in late May and owns a 2.41 ERA and 39/18 K/BB ratio over his first 33 2/3 innings with Triple-A Round Rock. He's not a fantasy option.

Rangers claimed RHP Phil Irwin off waivers from the Pirates; assigned him to Triple-A Round Rock.

Irwin was designated for assignment by the Pirates last Thursday after posting an 8.72 ERA in 21 2/3 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis. The 27-year-old righty will be organizational relief depth for the Rangers.

Pirates designated RHP Phil Irwin for assignment.

Irwin was sporting an ugly 8.72 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in 21 2/3 innings this season at the Triple-A level. The 27-year-old righty is now off the Pirates' 40-man roster.

Pirates optioned RHP Phil Irwin to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Irwin was in the majors for just over 24 hours and did not make a relief appearance for the Pirates.

Pirates recalled RHP Phil Irwin from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Irwin has an ugly 9.00 ERA and 15/10 K/BB ratio over 18 innings in Triple-A this season, but the Pirates need a fresh arm for their bullpen. We don't expect him to stick around for long.

Phil Irwin will not throw any bullpen sessions the next few days as he continues to battle elbow soreness.

While the injury isn't believed to be serious at this point, he missed a large portion of the 2013 season after undergoing ulnar nerve transposition surgery. The 26-year-old worked his way back and looked strong in the Arizona Fall League. Any setbacks this spring though could hurt his chances of cracking the Opening Day roster.

Pirates activated RHP Phil Irwin from the 60-day disabled list.

The 26-year-old right-hander suffered an elbow injury in early June and was forced to undergo ulnar nerve transposition surgery which wiped out the rest of his season. He returned to game action on Friday, notching three scoreless innings for Scottsdale in a victory over Glendale in Arizona Fall League action. He threw 39 pitches in the outing, 29 of them for strikes.

Phil Irwin (elbow) underwent ulnar nerve transposition surgery Wednesday in Pittsburgh.

The surgery will put him on the shelf for two months, which means that he could be at risk for missing the rest of the season. Irwin made one start with the Pirates back in April and has a 0.90 ERA in two starts at the Triple-A level this year.

Pirates placed RHP Phil Irwin on the 60-day disabled list.

Irwin suffered an injury with Triple-A Indianapolis, but the Pirates placed him on the 60-day DL to open a spot on the 40-man roster. He won't be eligible to return until early August.

Pirates optioned RHP Phil Irwin to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Irwin allowed five runs -- four earned -- over 4 2/3 innings Sunday in a spot start against the Reds. The 26-year-old could get another shot later this summer.

Pirates recalled RHP Phil Irwin from Triple-A Indianapolis.

He'll get the spot start Sunday in place of Wandy Rodriguez (hamstring). Irwin has a career 3.00 ERA over part of five seasons in the minors. He's likely to be sent back down after the start.

Phil Irwin will make his major league debut Sunday against the Reds.

Irwin will make a spot start for Wandy Rodriguez and could find his way into the Pirates' rotation on a more regular basis at some point this season. The 26-year-old has a career 3.00 ERA over part of five seasons in the minors.

Pirates optioned RHP Phil Irwin to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Irwin allowed 12 hits and nine runs (eight earned) over 10 1/3 Grapefruit League innings. The 26-year-old righty will function as organizational relief depth in 2013.

Phil Irwin struck out seven while allowing one run in 3 2/3 innings of relief Monday against the Orioles.

Irwin opened last season in A-ball, but he finished it in Triple-A and he was added to the 40-man roster in November. Although he's 26, he wasn't viewed as much of a threat to make the Pirates out of spring training this year. He should make his major league debut sometime this season, though.