May 20 : The Sox announced today that they have signed Houser to a one-year, $1.35MM deal. A suming thats prorated, Houser will get about $950K. previously reported that Houser was expected to start tonights game for the Sox, indicating it would be a big league deal. The Sox designated right-hander for a signment as . May 19 : The White Sox are nearing an agreement with free agent righty , . Its not clear if hell jump right onto the big league roster or head to Triple-A Charlotte. Houser, a client of BBI Sports Group, was granted his Devon White Jersey release from a minor league contract with Texas last week. Houser signed with the Rangers during the offseason. He has worked out of the rotation at Triple-A Round Rock, tallying 39 1/3 innings acro s nine appearances. While his 5.03 earned run average is pedestrian, thats not all that uncommon in the Pacific Coast League. Houser has stronger peripherals. He struck out a decent 22.8% of opponents while running an excellent 57.3% grounder rate. Ground balls are Housers speciality. He has gotten grounders at a near-52% clip over parts of eight seasons in the majors. That was up in the 58-59% range during his best seasons with Milwaukee but has been down to a more normal 46-48% mark over the past few years. That caught up to him last year, as he allowed 5.84 earned runs per nine acro s 69 1/3 frames with the Mets. Houser had begun the season in New Yorks rotation but was kicked to the bullpen after seven starts. His results in relief were much better. He carried an ERA north of 8.00 as a starting pitcher but turned in a 3.28 mark acro s 35 2/3 relief innings. Texas signed him as rotation depth, which seems likely to be his role in Chicago (a suming the deal is finalized). The rebuilding White Sox have baseballs least experienced rotation. is the only member of the current starting staff who entered the season with even one year of MLB service. Wilson, who had begun the year in the bullpen, stepped into the starting five after suffered a forearm injury. He has allowed a 6.62 ERA with nearly as many walks as strikeouts over four starts. Rule 5 pick has been the teams best pitcher, turning in a sterling 2.05 ERA with average strikeout and walk numbers over his first nine MLB starts. and have each been a little worse than average. Opening Day starter has struggled, though hed been better this month until giving up six runs to the Cubs on Saturday. If Houser jumps right onto the MLB roster, he could nudge Burke or Wilson from the rotation. Burke still has a full slate of minor league options. Wilson is out of options and would need to be designated for a signment for the Sox to take him off the big league roster. Brian Serven Jersey