INF/OF Michael Helman transferred to 60-day Injured List
Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers today announced the following transactions prior to tonight’s series opener against the San Diego Padres at Globe Life Field.
- Outfielder Jarred Kelenic (#25) contract selected from Triple-A Round Rock
- Infielder Josh Smith optioned to Triple-A Round Rock
- Infielder/outfielder Michael Helman transferred to 60-day Injured List
The 26-year-old Kelenic (pronounced ‘KELL-nick’) slashed .340/.431/.620/1.051 (17-50) with 3 home runs, one triple, 3 doubles, 11 RBI, and 8 walks in 13 games with Triple-A Round Rock since signing a minor league contract with Texas on June 2. The left-handed-hitting outfielder reached safely in 11 of 12 games with a plate appearance for the Express and produced an RBI in 10 of 12 contests, while making defensive appearances in centerfield (10 games/starts) and leftfield (one game/start). Kelenic is making his second appearance on an active Major League roster this year, as he batted .226 (12-53) with one home run and 4 RBI in 19 games with Chicago-AL from April 29 to May 24. He was a non-roster invitee to White Sox Major League Spring Training camp in 2026, posting a .632 OPS in 14 Cactus League games before beginning the season at Triple-A Charlotte.
Originally selected in the first round (6th overall) of the 2018 MLB Draft by New York-NL out of Waukesha West (Wis.) High School, Kelenic made his Major League debut with Seattle on May 13, 2021 vs. Cleveland. He has seen big-league action in each of the last six years, batting .211/.283/.374/.656 with 50 home runs, 6 triples, 65 doubles, 160 RBI, and 31 stolen bases in 426 games for the Mariners (2021-23), Braves (2024-25), and White Sox (2026). Kelenic recorded career highs in games played (131), hits (95), and home runs (15) in 2024 with Atlanta and has seen action at all three outfield spots in the Majors, primarily in leftfield (172 games) and centerfield (159 games).
Smith, 28, has batted .218 (22-101) with 3 doubles and 6 RBI across 34 games for Texas this season, including 2-for-9 (.222) in three games since he was activated from the 10-day Injured List on Monday. All 28 of his defensive starts have come at second base, while also appearing at third base (one game) and designated hitter (2 games). The infielder has converted 96 of his 98 total chances for a .980 fielding percentage.
Helman, 30, was placed on the 10-day Injured List on Sunday with a right finger fracture after he was struck by a 99.5-fastball from Boston’s Tyron Guerrero on Saturday at Fenway Park. The utility player has appeared in 15 games for Texas this year, batting .167 (5-30) with one home run and 2 RBI.
With today’s transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the club’s Major League roster, along with five players on the 60-day Injured List (RHP Carter Baumler, LHP’s Cody Bradford, Robert Garcia, and Jordan Montgomery, and INF/OF Michael Helman).
