LHP Wes Benjamin and INF/DH Curtis Terry optioned to Round Rock, RHP Jimmy Herget designated for assignment
Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers today announced the following roster moves prior to Friday’s homestand opener against the Oakland Athletics:
- Right-handed pitcher Dane Dunning activated from 10-day Injured List.
- Catcher Yohel Pozo (#37) contract selected from Round Rock (AAA).
- Left-handed pitcher Wes Benjamin optioned to Round Rock (AAA).
- Infielder/designated hitter Curtis Terry optioned to Round Rock (AAA).
- Right-handed pitcher Jimmy Herget designated for assignment.
Dunning is the scheduled starter for tonight’s game against Oakland. He was placed on the 10-day Injured List on August 4, retroactive to August 3, with right ankle impingement. Dunning has gone 5-7 with a 4.07 ERA (43 ER/95.0 IP) over 20 games/starts for the Rangers this season, ranking among rotation leaders in wins (T2nd, 5) and starts (3rd, 20). He has gone 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA (9 ER/30.0 IP) over his last 6 starts for Texas.
The 24-year-old Pozo (pronounced YOH-hehl poh-zoh) is in tonight’s starting lineup as the designated hitter, batting eighth in what will be his Major League debut. The right-handed batter has produced a slash line of .337/.350/.608/.958 (92-273) with 19 home runs, 13 doubles, 2 triples, and 63 RBI over 66 games with the Express in his first Triple-A action. The Venezuela native ranks among Triple-A West leaders in RBI (2nd, 63), total bases (2nd, 166), hits (3rd, 92), batting average (4th, .337), home runs (5th, 19), slugging percentage (6th, .608), and OPS (10th, .958). Over his last 27 games beginning July 10, Pozo has slashed .407/.419/.735/1.153 (46-113) with 10 home runs and 28 RBI, hitting safely in 22 of those 27 contests.
Originally signed by Texas as a non-drafted free agent on August 17, 2013, he was re-acquired by Texas in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft on December 10, 2020. He had signed as a free agent with the San Diego Padres on November 13, 2020. Pozo has spent his entire professional career in the Texas organization, batting .286 with a .750 OPS over seven seasons while playing primarily at catcher. He has also seen significant action at first base.
Benjamin made just one appearance for the Rangers after being recalled on August 8. He has gone 0-2 with a 7.53 ERA over 8 games/one start spanning five stints in the Majors in 2021: Opening Day-April 16, May 14, May 25-June 3, June 23-July 2, August 8-12.
Terry batted .089 with no home runs and one RBI over 13 games in his first Major League action after having his contract selected from Round Rock on July 23.
Herget was 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA over 4 relief appearances with Texas from August 2-7. He has spent the balance of the season with the Express, going 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA over 27 relief outings. The Rangers have seven days to trade, release, or outright Herget to the minor leagues.
Following today’s transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the club’s Major League roster, along with eight players on the 60-day Injured List.
