The Rangers announced a pair of interlocking roster moves today, optioning Spencer Howard to Triple-A and recalling outfielder Zach Reks. Howard has been shelled in 6 2/3 innings of work this season, working to a 12.15 ERA, but the demotion is reportedly more about building him up as a “full-fledged” starter, per Jeff Wilson of Rangerstoday.com (via Twitter). Whatever the reason for the move, the Rangers will surely want to see a more productive couple of appearances in Triple-A out of Howard.
Reks, meanwhile, steps right into the starting lineup, starting today’s ballgame in left field. It will be Reks first appearance with the Rangers after being acquired from the Dodgers this past November. In other roster moves…
- The Cubs have optioned Mark Leiter Jr. to Triple-A, activating Locke St. John in his place, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). Leiter Jr. appeared in four games for the Cubs, starting three, but yielding nine earned runs over 10 1/3 innings. St. John, meanwhile, was recently added to the 40-man roster to satisfy a condition of the minor league contract he signed over the winter. For now, he’ll join Daniel Norris and Sean Newcomb in a full Chicago bullpen.
- The Pirates have reinstated Cole Tucker from the COVID Injured List and optioned Tucupita Marcano to Double-A in order to give the infielder regular playing time, per Kevin Gorman of Tribune-Review Sports (via Twitter). Marcano, still just 22, was promoted to fill the void in the short-term. He was the key piece in last season’s trade that sent Adam Frazier to the Padres.
Texas dodgers lol
tstats, I never heard of the Texas Dodgers, but I have heard of the Draft Dodgers. I believe they’re a team out of Canada
I just find it funny how many former dodger AAAA types are now on the rangers or have been very recently. Santana Reks Sborz just to name a few
Seager
Is it the toasty weather?
Willie Calhoun
The Rangers need to get Chan Ho Park back again so they can create a Park & Reks dept.
I think Mark Leiter could probably have just been released.
Nah, they could always use pitching depth in Triple A
Pains me to see Tucker re-activated.
Time to send Tucker packing.
Send Woodward to AAA. He sucks as much as gray, Richards and perez
It’s hard to see where Marcano fits in long-term with the Pirates, but it’s even harder to see where Cole Tucker fits in. He whiffs at a rate than a guy like Pedro Alvarez did, yet he has almost no pop and really shouldn’t be in the outfield–let alone play over guys like Diego Castillo, Michael Chavis, or Oneil Cruz (who should have Tucker’s roster spot).
I was hopeful he’d be the one taken off the roster on May 2, but I get a feeling he’ll stick around for a while longer. He’s not even Ben Cherington’s guy; he was a Neal Huntington draft pick. Somehow he’s still got the “prospect” label despite not doing much at the MLB level, sort of like how they kept Midre Cummings around forever in the 90s.
I’d like to see Tucker DFA’d tomorrow when the rosters contract. However, I get a bad feeling they’ll send out Jack Suwinski instead.