The Texas Rangers saw three players walk out the door Thursday when outfielder Jarred Kelenic and veteran right-handed pitchers Joe Ross and Chris Paddack each turned down outright assignment offers and elected to become free agents.
Paddack’s time in Texas was remarkably brief. He joined the club on Monday and took the mound that same evening in a bulk relief role against the Cleveland Guardians, giving up two runs and seven hits across four innings. The very next day, he was designated for assignment and eventually cleared waivers. The 30-year-old has now cycled through the Miami Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, and Rangers all in the same season, compiling a 0-7 record with a 6.79 ERA across 14 appearances, including nine starts.
Ross, 33, fared somewhat better during his Texas stint, pitching in five games and surrendering four earned runs over eight innings for a 4.50 ERA, though he did take one loss. He began the year with the Arizona Diamondbacks and now carries a 9.26 ERA across eight total relief outings covering 11 and two-thirds innings.
Kelenic, 26, also had a short stay in Texas — his second team this season and the fourth organization of his major league career. Once considered a top prospect with the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners, Kelenic started 2025 with the Chicago White Sox before being granted free agency at the end of May. He quickly signed with Texas but appeared in just seven games, going 1-for-8 at the plate.
In additional roster moves, the Rangers selected the contract of right-hander Ben Peoples from Triple-A Round Rock, optioned right-hander Winston Santos back to Round Rock, and shifted left-hander Jordan Montgomery’s rehab assignment from Double-A Frisco up to Triple-A.
Peoples, 25, was acquired from the White Sox in exchange for catcher Ben Hartl earlier this week and could be in line for his major league debut with Texas. With Triple-A Charlotte, he posted a 5-1 record and a 2.39 ERA over 29 relief appearances, striking out 45 batters while issuing 21 walks.
Santos, 24, made his major league debut on Wednesday, allowing two runs on two hits over two innings of relief work during a 9-4 loss at Cleveland.
