ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers are shaking up their roster, looking to give more young players opportunities as any hopes of contention have faded away.
The Rangers added two pitchers to the mix on Wednesday, recalling LHP Wes Benjamin from Triple-A Round Rock, along with selecting the contract of RHP Joe Barlow.
For Benjamin, this is his fourth stint with the big league club. He made the Opening Day roster out of spring training, but was sent down roughly two weeks into the season after struggling with his command. He was recalled for just one day on May 14, then again on May 25 and remained with the Rangers through June 3.
On the flip side, this is Joe Barlow's first big league call-up. The 25-year-old has spent the season with Round Rock, compiling seven saves with a 2.57 ERA, eight walks, 29 strikeouts, a 12.4 strikeouts-per-nine, and a 0.76 WHIP over 17 relief appearances.
"He's been pitching well," said Rangers manager Chris Woodward. "We've always liked Joe. We brought him into camp last year. This guy's got elite stuff. He's got a really good fastball. He added a slider to the curveball. He's throwing strikes."
Staying in the strike zone is something the Rangers have vehemently demanded of their pitchers throughout the season. It's why Wes Benjamin was demoted earlier in the season. Chris Woodward said the club has seen the necessary growth they demanded of Barlow and feel like now is the time to give him an opportunity.
"He's in a good place. He's confident," Woodward explained. "It goes kind of along those lines of rewarding those who are performing and doing well. We felt like this was a good option for our organization."
To make room for Benjamin and Barlow, the Rangers optioned RHP Demarcus Evans to Round Rock and designated RHP Brett de Geus for assignment.
With Evans, Woodward said he may have been pressing too hard to stay in the big leagues, which is not uncommon for a young pitcher. What was a bit more surprising was the decision to DFA de Geus, who was selected in the Rule 5 draft last winter. Now de Geus will go through waivers, and if he is not claimed, the Rangers must offer him back to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"I do believe in the kid. I think he's got good stuff," Woodward said. "It was just one of those things where it put a little stress on our roster, as far as pitching goes. We didn't want to expose him to too many difficult scenarios. We wanted to help him get through. It got to the point where it was too difficult at times to not use him. It hurt the rest of our staff."
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
7:05 PM CT
Globe Life Field | Arlington, TX
Roof Closed
Probables:
OAK: RHP James Kaprielian (4-1, 2.84 ERA)
vs
TEX: RHP Mike Foltynewicz (1-7, 5.59 ERA)
Texas Rangers
TV: Bally Sports Southwest
Radio: 105.3 The Fan, KFLC
Oakland Athletics
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: KNEW 960, A's Cast
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