The Chicago White Sox signed first baseman Jared Walsh to a minor-league deal on Tuesday. He will report to Arizona before being assigned to Triple-A Charlotte. Walsh began the year with the Texas Rangers and went 12-for-53 (.226) with a home run, seven RBI and nine runs scored in 17 games while filling in at first base with Nathaniel Lowe starting the year on the injured list. Once Lowe returned from his injury, the Rangers cut Walsh. At this point, the White Sox are just looking for warm bodies with potential. For the time being, the 30-year-old Walsh will provide minor-league depth at first base. The former 39th-round pick by the Los Angeles Angels in 2015 out of Georgia has a career .239/.301/.438 slash line with 59 home runs and 191 RBI in six seasons, including this year.
Texas Rangers first baseman Jared Walsh was designated for assignment on Saturday. The move was correlated with activating Nathaniel Lowe off of the injured list. Walsh hit below league average in his early season stint, slashing .226/.317/.321 in 60 PA and has been a subpar hitter since his breakout years in 2020 and 2021. With the lefty off of the Rangers active roster, Lowe will take on the starting role at first base. Utility player Ezequiel Duran will see decreased playing time as well. Fantasy managers should only have interest in Lowe at this time.
Texas Rangers first baseman is not in Sunday's lineup as the Rangers will play the rubber match of a three-game set against their division rival Houston Astros. Walsh has done well with his new team, as he is riding a solid .250/.333/.354 line with one round-tripper and seven RBI. Walsh will cede first base duties to utility man Ezequiel Duran. Duran comes into Sunday's game with a .188 AVG and will bat eighth. Duran will not be a popular play in DFS as he will face Christian Javier who has a 1.10 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over his first three starts.
Texas Rangers first baseman Jared Walsh went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run versus the Chicago Cubs in the Cactus League on Sunday. Walsh is coming off of some injury plagued and underperforming seasons for the Los Angeles Angels, but has been on fire for his new club this spring with a .303 batting average to go along with three homers and six RBI in 33 at-bats. With first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (oblique) potentially missing Opening Day, Walsh would remain a strong replacement. Walsh doesn't have an everyday role without an injury, but his strong spring should allow him to break camp with the big-league roster. For now, he can safely be left on the waiver wire.
Rangers Sign Jared Walsh, Matt Duffy To Minor-League Deals
The Texas Rangers signed free-agent first baseman Jared Walsh, infielder Matt Duffy and left-hander Blake Taylor to minor-league deals with invitations to major-league spring training on Thursday. Walsh was a first-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he hit .277 (147-for-530) with a career-high 29 home runs in 144 games. However, he fell on hard times the last two seasons, hitting a combined 19 home runs, and injuries limited him to 39 games in 2023 before he was cut. If Walsh can get healthy, he could find his way back to the big leagues as a bench bat for the World Series champions. Duffy, 33, hit .251/.306/.325 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 78 games for the Kansas City Royals in 2023. He'll give the Rangers defensive versatility as not much more than infield depth in 2024.
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Jared Walsh has elected free agency after being removed from the 40-man roster. The 29-year-old was outright to Triple-A Salt Lake, but decides to hit the open market instead. The left-handed slugger was supposed to play a significant role on the team heading into 2023. However, he slashed .175/.268/.333 with four home runs and 11 RBI in 39 games with the Angels. Hopefully, a change of scenery will help Walsh get back on track. He blasted 29 homers with 98 RBI during the 2021 campaign. There should be an organization willing to take a chance on him.
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Jared Walsh cleared outright waivers on Tuesday and has accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Salt Lake. Walsh was designated for assignment by the Halos at the end of last week, but the 30-year-old left-handed hitter will remain with the organization for now. Walsh was an All-Star just two years ago, but in 146 games since then, he's gone 99-for-490 (.202) with 16 home runs, 49 RBI, two steals and 46 runs scored in 532 plate appearances. He was battling migraine headaches earlier this year and was sent to the minors, where he's also struggled to the tune of a .231 average with four home runs, 13 RBI and a .394 on-base percentage in 23 games for Salt Lake. Walsh is merely trying to finish 2023 on a high note going into next season.
The Los Angeles Angels designated first baseman Jared Walsh for assignment on Thursday after the team acquired right-handers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez from the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night. Walsh has fallen on hard times after being an All-Star for the Halos as recently as 2021. The 29-year-old left-handed slugger really disappointed last year before hitting .119/.244/.224 with one home run, four doubles, five RBI and five runs scored in 28 games this year before getting cut. Walsh also dealt with debilitating migraines this year and was hitting a meager .132 in 66 trips to the plate on the farm at Triple-A Salt Lake. If Walsh clears waivers, perhaps a change of scenery will do him well as he attempts to bounce back.
Jared Walsh Optioned To Triple-A Salt Lake On Saturday
Los Angeles Angels infielder/outfielder Jared Walsh was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday. Walsh missed the beginning of the season while dealing with neurological symptoms, which he was getting treatment for, but has struggled mightily at the dish since his IL activation on May 20. He's slashing just .119/.244/.224 with one home run and five RBI over 67 at-bats on the season. Hopefully, he can get right down in Triple-A for himself and the Halos. David Fletcher has his contract selected in a corresponding move.
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Jared Walsh is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Miami Marlins. The left-handed slugger will take a seat here versus the lefty starting pitcher. Walsh has struggled since returning from the injured list. He's slashing .133/.235/.133 with one RBI and a 6/2 K/BB across four games this season. Brandon Drury will cover first base and bat fifth versus left-hander Jesus Luzardo on Friday.
