The Texas Rangers signed Team Italy pitcher Sam Gaviglio to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training in Surprise, Arizona on February 1, 2021. When pitchers and catchers report to camp later this month, the 30-year-old right-handed pitcher will reunite with Team Italy catcher/designated hitter Drew Butera, who recently signed a minor-league deal with Texas.

Both players were in the Azzurri lineup on March 11, 2017 when Team Italy played Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) at Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico. Sam Gaviglio pitched four scoreless innings against an explosive Venezuela offense powered by Jose Altuve, Martin Prado, Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Gonzalez, Victor Martinez, and Salvador Perez before surrendering two runs in top of the fifth inning.