Wendzel optioned to AAA Round Rock

The Rangers have optioned infielder Davis Wendzel to AAA Round Rock

The Texas Rangers have optioned infielder Davis Wendzel to AAA Round Rock, the team announced today. The team said that a corresponding move will be made before tomorrow’s game in Philadelphia against the Phillies.

Wendzel was added to the active roster early in the season due to injuries to Josh Jung and Justin Foscue. The hope was that he would be able to provide a righthanded bat who could play any of the infield positions against lefties, as needed, as well as provide value off the bench.

Unfortunately, Wendzel has not hit well since coming up. He started on an 0 for 11 stretch, got a hit in his only plate appearance against Seattle on April 25, homered in his only plate appearance against Cincinnati on April 27, and since has been hitless in 16 at bats. He returns to Round Rock with a .069/.069/.172 slash line in 29 plate appearances, with no walks and four Ks.

The Rangers are carrying the maximum number of pitchers they are allowed to carry on their active roster — 13 — so they will have to add a position player to their roster to replace Wendzel. The three position players in the minors who are on the 40 man roster currently are Jonathan Ornelas, Dustin Harris and Sam Huff.

I kind of feel like the most likely scenario is that they are bringing up a third catcher, given that Jonah Heim has been DHing a fair amount, and the Rangers have lost the DH spot due to Andrew Knizner being pinch hit for and Heim having to move from DH to catcher a couple of times lately. In that case Huff would seem to be the guy to get the nod, if they are going with someone already on the 40 man roster.

Texas does have the ability to slide Austin Pruitt or Cody Bradford to the 60 day injured list to create a spot on the 40 man roster, however. If they go off the 40 man roster, veteran Andrew Knapp could be brought up as the third catcher.

Sandro Fabian, a righthanded hitting outfielder who is slashing .463/.500/.854 against lefties, would also be an option if they want a righthanded platoon bat, particularly if they believe Adolis Garcia, who bruised his arm in a collision with Marcus Semien on Saturday, may be limited this week. Also an option in the outfield is 28 year old center fielder Derek Hill, a former first round draft pick with 108 games of major league experience (and a .229/.279/.314 career slash line) who had a strong spring training and is slashing .333/.387/.659 for Round Rock so far in 2024.