The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have announced the contract of right-handed relief pitcher Chris Mobley has been purchased by the Texas Rangers. Mobley is the third pitcher and sixth Blue Crab to be signed by a Major League organization in-season in 2010. Southern Maryland sent outfielder Justin Christian to the New York Yankees on May 8, starting pitchers John Halama to the Oakland Athletics May 22 and Jarrett Grube to the Seattle Mariners June 8, infielder/outfielder Kody Kirkland to the Houston Astros July 22, and outfielder Jason Lane to the Toronto Blue Jays July 23.
Mobley went 4-3 with a 2.53 ERA in a team-high 40 games with one spot start out of the bullpen. His 50 strikeouts were the highest of any Southern Maryland reliever.
Mobley was terrific in his only start for the Crabs, as he pitched four scoreless innings with three strikeouts on July 24 against the Long Island Ducks at Regency Furniture Stadium.
Mobley split last season at Double-A Jacksonville and Triple-A New Orleans in the Florida Marlins organization, going 3-3 in 43 relief appearances between the two clubs.
Now in his seventh professional season, Mobley began his career in 2004 after being drafted by the Marlins the same year out of Middle Tennessee State University. He entered this season with a 20-18 career record with a 3.61 ERA in 278 games and six starts.