The Texas Rangers had six open spots on the 40-man roster and general manager Ross Fenstermaker said the team could be active during the Rule 5 Draft.
The Rangers didn’t select a player during the Major League portion of the draft, but they did make a trade. Texas sent right-handed pitcher Jaiker Garcia and cash considerations to the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed reliever Carter Baumler, who was selected by the Pirates in the first round out of the Baltimore Orioles’ system.
The Rule 5 draft guidelines require the Rangers to immediately place Baumler on the 40-man roster. Since Texas had open spots, it didn’t require them to make a 40-man roster move. Texas’ roster is now 35 players.
It also means that Baumler will be at spring training with the Rangers and competing for a bullpen spot. Per The Dallas Morning News’ Shawn McFarland on X (formerly Twitter), the Rangers believe the righty’s “power and spin” is a fit for their bullpen. He was clocked as high as 98 mph with his fastball last season. But there is injury risk to monitor as well.
About Carter Baumler