Texas Rangers News

Michael Plassmeyer  • SP  •  Rangers

Rangers Sign Pitcher Michael Plassmeyer To Minor-League Contract

The Texas Rangers have signed pitcher Michael Plassmeyer to a minor-league contract. The 28-year-old was drafted by the Mariners in the fourth round back in 2018, and has been with Tampa Bay, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and spent 2024 in Pittsburgh's organization. The lefty made his MLB debut with the Phillies in 2022 and made a brief appearance in 2023, totaling 11 major league innings pitched. He'll presumably start 2025 in Triple-A which is where he was for all of 2024, posting an unsightly 7.93 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, but with an excellent 22.7% K-BB%, which is probably why the Rangers were willing to give him a shot. The 6-foot-2 southpaw pitched as both a reliever and as a starter, so it remains to be seen how the Rangers intend to deploy him, but until he's in the majors, Plassmeyer is off the fantasy radar.
Yesterday   
Jacob Webb  • RP  •  Rangers  |  Jacob Webb  • RP  •  Red Sox

Jacob Webb, Rangers Agree To One-Year Contract

Free-agent relief pitcher Jacob Webb and the Texas Rangers agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the deal. Webb will head to the American League West in 2025 after going 2-5 with a 3.02 ERA (3.52 FIP), a 1.18 WHIP, two saves, a career-high 58 strikeouts and 27 walks in 56 2/3 relief innings out of the Baltimore Orioles' bullpen in 2024. He became a free agent this offseason after the O's non-tendered him in November. The 25-year-old was originally an 18th-round selection by the Atlanta Braves in the 2014 MLB draft. Webb made his major-league debut in 2019 with the Braves and spent three seasons in Atlanta before playing for the O's and Los Angeles Angels in 2023. In five big-league seasons, he has a decent 2.98 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with six saves and a 23.5% strikeout rate.
6 days ago   
Jake Burger  • 3B  •  Rangers

Rangers Acquire Jake Burger From Marlins

The Texas Rangers are acquiring third baseman/first baseman Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night in exchange for third baseman Echedry Vargas, shortstop Max Acosta and left-hander Brayan Mendoza, according to a source. The move to add Burger adds thump to Texas' lineup after he hit 29 home runs and drove in 76 for the Marlins in 2024. He hit a career-high 34 long balls with the Chicago White Sox and Marlins in 2023 while also posting a nice .828 OPS. The former first-round selection by the White Sox in 2017 out of Missouri State University will move to a much better situation for his fantasy prospects in Texas and will be surrounded by much better hitters. Between third base, first base and designated hitter, Burger should play regularly and give fantasy managers a solid power floor with around a .250 average.
6 days ago   
Nathan Eovaldi  • SP  •  Rangers

Nathan Eovaldi Reunites With Rangers On Three-Year Deal

Free-agent right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and the Texas Rangers are reuniting after agreeing on a three-year, $75 million deal on Tuesday, according to sources. Eovaldi was considered at the top of the middle tier of free-agent arms this winter, and the Rangers will have him back for another three seasons. The 34-year-old veteran landed on the open market after declining a $20 million player option for the 2025 season. The two-time All-Star went 12-8 in 2024 with a 3.80 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 166 strikeouts and 42 walks in 170 2/3 innings over his 29 starts. He's posted a 3.72 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 298:89 K:BB in 54 regular-season starts for Texas over the last two years. Injuries have been an issue for Eovaldi in the past, but he stayed healthy for the most part last year and delivered a nice 23.9% strikeout rate. He lacks big strikeout upside and doesn't throw as hard as he did early in his career, but Eovaldi gives fantasy managers a solid floor as a mid-rotation arm.
7 days ago   
Adrian Houser  • RP  •  Rangers

Adrian Houser Signs With Rangers

Free-agent right-hander Adrian Houser signed a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers on Saturday. Houser will head to the American League after spending the 2024 campaign with the New York Mets. Houser appeared in 23 games (seven starts) for the Mets but wasn't very effective on the mound, going 1-5 with a career-worst 5.84 ERA (4.93 FIP), a 1.53 WHIP, his first career save and a 45:32 K:BB in his 69 1/3 innings pitched before he was cut in late July. The 31-year-old veteran latched on with the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs after that but didn't make it back to the majors in the second half of the season. The former second-round pick by the Houston Astros in 2011 wasn't much better in seven starts in the minors, posting a 6.37 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 35 1/3 frames. Houser will most likely open the 2025 season at Triple-A Round Rock as pitching depth for Texas.
Dec 7   
Kyle Higashioka  • C  •  Rangers  |  Jonah Heim  • C  •  Rangers

Jonah Heim, Kyle Higashioka To See Equal Playing Time

The Texas Rangers are planning to give catchers Jonah Heim and Kyle Higashioka equal playing time in 2025, according to general manager Ross Fenstermaker. The Rangers signed Higashioka to a two-year, $13.5 million deal on Monday night and will plan to give him plenty of playing time behind the plate given Heim's struggles on offense this past season. The 29-year-old Heim was an All-Star in 2023, won a Gold Glove and a World Series ring, but he wasn't as good in 2024, slashing .220/.267/.336 with a weak .602 OPS, 13 home runs, 59 RBI and 45 runs scored in 131 games played in his fourth year in Texas. Meanwhile, Higashioka had a career year in his lone season with the San Diego Padres with 17 home runs and 45 RBI in 84 games played as the team's primary backstop. Texas will be hoping a straight split in playing time will keep them both productive, but it will surely limit their fantasy upside.
Dec 3   
Kyle Higashioka  • C  •  Rangers

Rangers Sign Catcher Kyle Higashioka For Two Years

The Texas Rangers have signed catcher Kyle Higashioka to a two-year, $13.5 million deal that includes a mutual option for 2027. The veteran will back up incumbent Jonah Heim who logged 119 games behind the dish for Texas last season. Higashioka played in San Diego in 2024, getting only sporadic playing time as the backup to Luis Campusano until his bat went cold and an injury forced him to miss time, paving the way for Higashioka to take over as the starter. Through May, the 34-year-old was hitting .128 with one home run and a wRC+ of just 4 in 48 plate appearances, but from June up until the end of the season, the backstop hit .241 with 16 home runs and a wRC+ of 127 in 215 PA. As the backup in Texas, Higashioka is off the fantasy radar, but after proving he's still got some pop in his bat, managers would be wise to give him a look if anything were to cause Heim to miss time.
Dec 3   
Kyle Higashioka  • C  •  Rangers

Rangers Agree With Kyle Higashioka On Two-Year Deal

The Texas Rangers agreed to a two-year, $13.5 million deal with free-agent catcher Kyle Higashioka on Monday night that includes a mutual option for the 2027 season. Higashioka opened his first year with the San Diego Padres in 2024 as the backup to Luis Campusano, but he quickly took over starting duties after Campusano was injured early in the year and never looked back on his way to a career year. The 34-year-old former seventh-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2008 hit only .220 (54-for-246), but it came with a career-high 17 home runs, career-high 45 RBI and career-high 29 runs scored in 84 regular-season games. Higashioka isn't suddenly going to hit for average at this point in his career, and he's unlikely to come close to eclipsing his 2024 numbers as the likely backup to Jonah Heim in Texas. But don't discredit the pop if he earns more time, as he's reached 10 homers in four straight seasons.
Dec 3   
Evan Carter  • LF  •  Rangers

Evan Carter Swinging A Bat, Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training

Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) has resumed swinging a bat this offseason, according to the team, and is expected to be ready for the start of spring training in mid-February without restrictions. It's excellent news for Carter, who was limited to only 45 games in 2024 due to back issues. The 22-year-old youngster eventually needed an ablation procedure in October to remove tissue from his back, but apparently he's recovered nicely and should be ready for Opening Day in 2025, barring a setback. The former second-round pick in 2020 burst onto the scene in 2023 and hit .306 (19-for-62) with five homers and 12 RBI in 23 regular-season games and was a lineup mainstay during the club's World Series run that fall. He went 27-for-144 (.188) with five homers and 15 RBI in 45 games in 2024 before being shut down. Carter is going to need to improve against lefties in 2025 to keep a regular role.
Nov 26   
Josh Jung  • 3B  •  Rangers

Josh Jung Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) is expected to be ready for spring training in mid-February without restrictions, according to the team. Jung missed the vast majority of the 2024 season with another injury, this time a right-wrist injury that required a second surgery in early October. The Rangers are hoping he can return to the All-Star form he had in 2023 after fracturing his wrist early this season. The 26-year-old right-handed slugger batted .266 (127-for-478) with 23 home runs and 70 RBI in his first full season in the majors in 2023 but only appeared in 46 games this year, batting .264/.298/.421 with a .719 OPS, seven home runs and 16 RBI in 188 plate appearances. In addition to his wrist issues this year, Jung missed around six weeks with a thumb injury in 2023 and has played in just 168 of 324 possible regular-season games the last two years. He's a risk/reward fantasy asset.
Nov 26   
Adolis García  • RF  •  Rangers

Adolis Garcia Resumes Running

Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia (knee) has resumed running this offseason and is expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training in mid-February, barring any setbacks. Garcia didn't require surgery on his left knee, but his 2024 campaign ended early due to a sprained patellar tendon. The 31-year-old Cuban outfielder made his second All-Star team in 2023 and then led the Rangers to their first-ever World Series title by setting career-highs in home runs (39), RBI (107) and runs scored (108) in 148 regular-season games. Garcia took a big step back in 2024, slashing .224/.284/.400 with a below-average .684 OPS, 25 homers, 85 RBI, 11 steals, 68 runs scored and 177 strikeouts in 637 plate appearances over 154 games played. It's good news that he should be fully recovered from his knee injury heading into the 2025 season as he looks to bounce back as a high-end power bat for fantasy managers.
Nov 26   
Corey Seager  • SS  •  Rangers

Corey Seager Nearing Full Baseball Activities

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (hernia) is nearing full baseball activities this offseason. Seager needed surgery for a sports hernia in September but is now close to being cleared for all baseball activities. Barring a setback once he begins ramping up, the 30-year-old two-time World Series MVP should be ready to go without restrictions for the start of spring training in the middle of February. The five-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year reached the 30-homer mark for the third straight season in Texas in 2024, and although he wasn't quite as good as he was the previous season when he guided the Rangers to their first World Series title in franchise history, he still hit a strong .278/.353/.512 with an .864 OPS, 30 homers, 74 RBI and 68 runs scored in 123 games played. When healthy, Seager is among the high-end fantasy options at short, but he's also an injury risk.
Nov 26   
Josh Sborz  • RP  •  Rangers

Josh Sborz Remaining In Texas

The Texas Rangers and relief pitcher Josh Sborz agreed on a one-year contract to avoid arbitration, according to the team. The 30-year-old battled numerous injuries this past summer and logged only 16 1/3 innings of work. The right-hander had a 3.86 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP during this limited sample size. The relief pitcher is set to miss some time during the start of the 2025 campaign as he is still recovering from his shoulder operation. Sborz was a crucial member of their World Series run in 2023, as he posted a near-perfect 0.75 ERA and a 0.67 WHIP in 12 frames of work. Fantasy managers should expect Sborz to return to his typical high-leverage role in the Texas bullpen in 2025, and he could be a viable option for holds if he can return to form following his recovery.
Nov 24   
Dane Dunning  • SP  •  Rangers

Dane Dunning Staying In Texas

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Texas Rangers and right-handed pitcher Dane Dunning have agreed to a $2.66 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. Dunning battled injuries this past summer and logged just 95 innings of work and held a mere 5.31 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. His 95 innings were his lowest total since his debut season in 2020. Under the hood, Dunning generated a rough 45.8% hard-hit rate, 10.9% barrel rate, and 90.4 mph average exit velocity, which were all significantly below the average marks. Given this contract agreement, fantasy managers should expect Dunning to compete for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. If he earns a spot, he could be worth a late flier in deep AL-only formats, as he held a modest 3.70 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 2023.
Nov 23   
Caleb Boushley  • RP  •  Rangers

Rangers Sign Pitcher Caleb Boushley To A Minor-League Deal

The Texas Rangers have signed right-hander Caleb Boushley to a minor-league contract. Boushley pitched in the Twins organization for the entirety of 2024, but only briefly in the majors with just four innings pitched this year. At Triple-A in 2024, the 31-year-old made 26 starts but pitched to a 5.23 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. The righty doesn't miss a lot of bats, logging just a 7.24 K/9, but he also only walked 4.9% of the batters he faced. The former 33rd-round draft pick will need to perform better in 2025 if he hopes to make it back to the bigs, but unless he changes something, he doesn't have the stuff to make him fantasy relevant.
Nov 22   
Luis Curvelo  • RP  •  Rangers

Rangers Sign Luis Curvelo To Major-League Deal

The Texas Rangers signed right-hander Luis Curvelo to an undisclosed major-league contract on Wednesday. It's a bit of a surprise that Curvelo landed a big-league deal since he has not played beyond Double-A in the minors. The 24-year-old Venezuelan hurler pitched in the Seattle Mariners' system in 2024 and went 4-0 with a 2.57 ERA, a 0.85 WHIP, 78 strikeouts and only 18 walks in 66 2/3 relief innings over 49 appearances out of the bullpen for Double-A Arkansas. Curvelo will be competing for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen at spring training in 2025, and he could end up being a high-leverage arm for Texas if he can keep the momentum going that he established on the farm last season. In his six seasons in the minor leagues, Curvelo has a 3.51 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 334:92 K:BB in 294 2/3 innings pitched.
Nov 13   
Alejandro Osuna  • RF  •  Rangers

Alejandro Osuna Continuing To Progress In Arizona Fall League

Texas Rangers outfield prospect Alejandro Osuna has continued to progress in the Arizona Fall League. Through 22 games, the No. 16 ranked prospect in the Texas system has posted a stellar .314/.449/.477 slash line and has hit eight doubles, two home runs with 16 RBI and two stolen bases. He has also shown a great eye at the plate with a 20:23 BB:K ratio. Last summer, the 22-year-old opened the campaign with High-A and posted a solid .272/.339/.486 line which earned him a late-season promotion to Double-A Frisco. At this level, Osuna continued to take a step forward as he posted an impressive .306/.379/.523 line with 18 doubles, nine home runs, and seven stolen bases in a 57-game stint. If Osuna can continue to develop during Spring Training, he could open the 2025 campaign at Triple-A.
Nov 12   
Josh Sborz  • RP  •  Rangers

Josh Sborz Still Deciding On Course Of Action

Texas Rangers right-handed reliever Josh Sborz (shoulder) has visited with several shoulder expects since the season ended and both he and the team have yet to decide on a path forward, according to president of baseball operations Chris Young. Sborz appeared only 17 times out of Texas' bullpen in 2024 due to his right-shoulder troubles, ultimately culminating with him finishing the year on the injured list. The 30-year-old is likely deciding on whether to go under the knife, which would almost assuredly mean that he won't be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season. The Rangers' bullpen could look quite different next year, with Kirby Yates, David Robertson and Jose Leclerc all being free agents. Sborz had a 3.86 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 17 K's and only four walks in his 16 1/3 relief innings in 2024.
Nov 5   
Roansy Contreras  • RP  •  Rangers

Roansy Contreras Claimed By Texas

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Roansy Contreras was claimed off of waivers by Texas Rangers earlier on Thursday according to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN. The 24-year-old logged 52 frames with the Angles last summer to the tune of a 4.33 ERA and 1.29 WHIP after being designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates in May. Contreras operated out of both the rotation and the bullpen in Los Angeles but never exceeded more than three innings in an outing. For now, fantasy managers should expect the right-hander to continue to be deployed out of the bullpen but could be given an opportunity to compete for a spot in the rotation during Spring Training.
Nov 1   
Evan Carter  • LF  •  Rangers

Evan Carter Undergoes Ablation Procedure

Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) underwent an ablation procedure on his back last week and has started a hitting progression. Carter managed to play in only 45 games in 2024 due to a lower-back stress reaction. The Rangers are hoping that his recent procedure will clear the way for the 22-year-old to put his back injury in the rearview mirror as he prepares for spring training early in 2025. If healthy next year, the former second-round selection in 2020 should have a big role in the Rangers' outfield, at least on the strong side of a platoon against right-handed pitching. In his 45 games (162 trips to the plate) this year, he slashed a weak .188/.272/.361 with five home runs, 15 RBI and 23 runs scored. However, with better health, could bounce back nicely and become a nice late-round value pick in fantasy drafts. We'll continue to keep an eye on his progress this offseason.
Oct 11   
LEGEND
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