LHP Walter Pennington designated for assignment
West Sacramento, Calif. – April 23, 2025 – The Texas Rangers announced a series of roster adjustments prior to their game against the Oakland Athletics at Sutter Health Park.
- Shortstop Corey Seager has been placed on the 10-day Injured List due to a right hamstring strain.
- Infielder Nick Ahmed (#23) has had his contract selected from the Arizona Complex League Rangers.
- Left-handed pitcher Walter Pennington, currently on option with the Arizona Complex League Rangers, has been designated for assignment.
Corey Seager Placed on IL
Seager, 30, sustained the hamstring injury during Tuesday’s game against the Athletics. The injury occurred while running to first base after his plate appearance in the top of the 6th inning, and he was subsequently replaced defensively by Josh Smith.
Seager has been a pivotal player for Texas, starting 21 of the team’s first 23 games this season (20 as shortstop, 1 as DH). He has posted a .286 batting average (22-for-77) with 4 home runs, 2 doubles, 6 RBI, 7 walks, a .345 on-base percentage, .468 slugging percentage, and .813 OPS. Notably, over the last 12 games since April 8, the left-handed hitter slashed .370/.420/.609/1.029, leading the team with 17 hits and 3 home runs during that stretch.
Nick Ahmed Joins the Rangers
Ahmed, 35, is aiming to make a Major League appearance for the 12th consecutive season (since 2014). The veteran infielder has previously played for Arizona (2014-2023), San Francisco (2024), Los Angeles-NL (2024), and San Diego (2024).
Ahmed returned to the Rangers on April 9, signing a minor league contract after being released by the team on March 22. Earlier in February, Ahmed had signed with Texas as a non-roster invitee to Major League camp, where he batted an impressive .324/.361/.647/1.008 (11-for-34) with 3 home runs, 2 doubles, 8 RBI, and a team-leading 10 runs in 15 Cactus League games.
A two-time National League Gold Glove winner at shortstop (2018-19), Ahmed brings defensive prowess to the roster with a career .978 fielding percentage (80 errors over 3,665 total chances). His 854 career starts at shortstop rank fourth among National League players since 2014. Offensively, Ahmed has compiled a career .234 batting average, 72 home runs, and 339 RBI across 959 Major League games. Originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2nd round of the 2011 MLB Draft, Ahmed is a native of East Longmeadow, Mass.
Walter Pennington Designated for Assignment
The Rangers now have seven days to trade, release, or outright Walter Pennington to the minors. The left-hander has not appeared in official game action this season. During Cactus League play, he logged a 6.75 ERA (3 earned runs over 4.0 innings pitched) across four games, with two strikeouts and no walks.
Pennington was acquired from the Kansas City Royals on July 29, 2024, in exchange for right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen. Over 16 career Major League games (including one start), Pennington has a 1-0 record, 3.00 ERA (6 earned runs over 18.0 innings pitched), and 17 strikeouts.
With these moves, the Rangers’ 40-man roster remains full, alongside three players (Cody Bradford, Jon Gray, Josh Sborz) currently on the 60-day Injured List.
