Good timing. The Rangers could use some reinforcement at catcher.
Elias Diaz, who has performed admirably after being thrust into the starting catcher’s job, has looked a little fatigued as the workload has caught up with him. Diaz has posted a .169/.206/.262/.467 in 70 plate appearances since the All-Star break. It is the ninth-lowest OPS among players with at least 50 second-half plate appearances. He has, however, continued to do solid work behind the plate, catching five of the 12 would-be base-stealers against him in the last month.
Jansen, who signed a two-year, $14 million deal last winter, was the Rangers’ biggest off-season free agency addition, but struggled from the start of the season. He was hitting only .171 with a .586 OPS at the time he went on the IL on June 2.
Jansen said the elbow was not a factor in his slow start offensively. He is traditionally a slow starter who gets hot later in the season. He has a career .680 OPS before the All-Star break and .783 after it.
“I think offense is part of my game,” Jansen said. “I’m not looking to do too much and try to hit a homer every single time. I’m going to do what the game’s asking of me, and if it’s to try to move a guy over or get a bunt down, I’m going to do it. But, yes, I’d definitely like to get back to a bit of myself.”
In a corresponding move, catcher Austin Wynns was designated for assignment. Additionally, left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales, who was designated for assignment by Texas on Saturday, declined an outright assignment and has elected free agency.
With Tuesday’s transactions, the Rangers have 39 players on their MLB roster.