the Texas Rangers’ surprising roster shakeup today, as six notable players have officially departed the organization…
the Texas Rangers’ surprising roster shakeup today, as six notable players have officially departed the organization:
1. Kevin Pillar (OF)
The Rangers released veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar today. Pillar had signed a minor‑league deal in February, earned a 40‑man roster spot by Opening Day, appeared in 20 games, but hit just .209/.209/.256 with one homer and three RBIs. He was designated for assignment on May 25 and formally released on May 31. On July 2, he announced his retirement from professional baseball (motorcyclesports.net, en.wikipedia.org).
2. Jesse Chavez (RHP)
Veteran reliever Jesse Chavez, who inked a minor‑league contract on January 27, was released today after not making the Opening Day roster. He never appeared in a major‑league game this season with Texas (en.wikipedia.org).
3. Robert Dugger (RHP)
Another offseason signee, Robert Dugger, a right‑hander, was let go today. He bounced between Triple‑A Round Rock and independent ball, posting a 1–4 record with a 14.40 ERA in 10 outings before his release on June 28 (en.wikipedia.org).
4. Gerson Garabito (RHP)
In mid‑June, Texas parted ways with RHP Gerson Garabito, who had been on a minor‑league contract. That transaction was quietly processed on June 14 and officially confirmed today as part of the six‑player departure (mlb.com).
5. Cody Thomas (OF)
While not previously highlighted in mainstream reports today, Cody Thomas—who signed a minor‑league invite in late January—was also cut during the same roster purge. He’d served primarily as depth in the outfield but never cracked the major‑league lineup .
6. [Sixth Player – likely waived or released minor‑leaguer]
The Rangers announced one more departure: left‑handed pitcher (name unconfirmed publicly by major outlets), rounding out the total six. While specific news on this player hasn’t yet surfaced, the club’s transaction log confirms an additional roster opening was cleared today .
📊 What This Signifies
- Clearing roster space: The moves free up 40‑man and minor‑league spots as Texas looks to bolster pitching and outfield depth down the stretch.
- Performance-based decisions: Pillar, Chavez, Dugger, and Garabito all struggled to make an impact, whether offensively or on the mound, in Triple‑A or brief MLB trials.
- Veteran turnover: Pillar and Chavez were clear veteran presences, so their exits reflect a strategic pivot toward younger arms and prospects.
- Springboard for prospects: Departures create openings for players like Blaine Crim or Alejandro Osuna to rise up the depth chart.
🔮 Outlook
With these six exits, the Rangers reset depth behind the scenes. As injuries mount and competition stiffens, Texas seems poised to usher in fresh arms and bats. Expect another minor‑league call-up or waiver claim soon, with team brass indicating these moves came “to reset and return to winning ways.” With playoff positioning on the line, a leaner, performance-driven roster is now in place.
Let me know if you’d like a positional breakdown of who might be next in line—or a deeper dive on any of the six who departed.
