Waits threw a total of one inning for the Rangers in 1973, facing the Chicago White Sox on September 17th and giving up a run on one hit and a walk for an ERA of 9.00.
After spending all of 1974 in the Minors, and a trade to the Cleveland Indians as part of the blockbuster Gaylord Perry deal that saw Jim Bibby and Jackie Brown head to the Tribe as well, Waits became a solid MLB pitcher over the next 10 seasons or so, winning as many as 16 games in 1979, as well as posting a career-best 3.20 ERA in 1978.
By the time he retired after the 1985 season after two-and-a-half years with the Milwaukee Brewers, Waits finished with a record of 79-92, with an ERA of 4.25 over 317 appearances and 1427 innings pitched, with 10 shutouts and eight saves along the way.