Rangers DFA Jarred Kelenic, Promote Logan O’Hoppe

Kelenic, 27, has been in this position multiple times this season. The former top prospect was previously designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox in late May and again by Texas in late June before twice re-signing with the Rangers on minor league deals.

In 37 total games with Triple-A Round Rock, Kelenic batted .373/.447/.655 with seven home runs, four triples, 11 doubles and 24 RBIs. He went 1-for-8 with two walks in his first stint with Texas and, since rejoining the big league club on Aug. 11, was 3-for-12 with six strikeouts.

Kelenic has continually hit well throughout his minor league career, but to this point, has been unable to put it all together in the majors. Between Chicago and Texas this season, the lefty bat has produced a .219/.313/.288 slash line with one home run and six RBIs in 36 games. He owns a career .655 OPS over 443 MLB games and a .839 OPS in 284 Triple-A games.

The Rangers’ offense is in desperate need of a spark after being held to two runs or fewer in each of their last four games. They have especially struggled since Josh Jung (calf strain) landed on the injured list in late July, and with Jake Burger (wrist) set to miss Sunday’s game, O’Hoppe will have an immediate opportunity to give the lineup a jolt.

O’Hoppe, 26, has been red hot in Triple-A since joining the Rangers organization alongside reliever Chase Silseth at the trade deadline. In 18 games with Round Rock, the righty slugger slashed .292/.386/.556 with three home runs, 10 doubles and 20 RBIs.

Before the trade, O’Hoppe had spent his entire five-year major league career with the Los Angeles Angels. His best season came in 2024, when he produced 2.7 bWAR while batting .244/.303/.409 with 20 home runs and 56 RBIs in 136 games. So far this year, he has posted a career-worst .565 OPS over 75 MLB games.

“I think this guy’s going to be really good,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said when asked about O’Hoppe on July 30. “I think hopefully a change of scenery, with some of our guys, can get him to a place where we all think he can get to. It’s exciting. He’s still young, a controllable catcher. With some injuries we’ve had on the catching front, I think it helps our depth.”

O’Hoppe will make his Rangers debut as the designated hitter and bat seventh against his former team on Sunday afternoon. He gives Texas three healthy catching options on the 26-man roster, joining Elias Díaz and Danny Jansen.