Rangers claim former Mets pitcher

The Rangers have claimed right-hander Dom Hamel off waivers from the Orioles, as per announcements from both teams.  Hamel has been optioned to the Rangers’ Arizona Complex League team, and second baseman Marcus Semien was moved to the Texas 60-day injured list to make space for Hamel on the 40-man roster.

A third-round pick for the Mets in the 2021 draft, Hamel made his MLB debut in the form of one scoreless inning in New York’s 7-4 loss to San Diego on September 17.  That first game kicked off a busy 11-day stretch for Hamel, who has now changed teams twice via the waiver wire.  The Mets designated Hamel for assignment the day after his debut, and the Orioles claimed him off waivers, only to DFA Hamel again on Thursday.

The right-hander now heads to the Rangers and a familiar locale, as Hamel played his college ball at Dallas Baptist University.  Hamel has all three minor league options remaining, which could help his chances of remaining on the 40-man roster throughout the offseason and making it to Spring Training to compete for a bullpen job.

Over 192 1/3 career Triple-A innings, Hamel has a 6.27 ERA.  He has had trouble keeping the ball in the park at the top minor league level, but he has decent strikeout numbers and his walk rate improved greatly in 2025.  Hamel also started working as a reliever more often this year, so a long relief or swingman role might be in the cards as the righty looks to carve out a niche as a big leaguer.

Semien hasn’t played since August 21, due to a Lisfranc sprain and a fractured third metatarsal bone in his left foot.  The move from the 10-day IL to the 60-day is just a paper transaction, as Semien wasn’t going to play again anyway in 2025, especially now that Texas has been eliminated from the playoff race.