RHP Brett de Geus designated for assignment
Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers today announced the following roster moves prior to Wednesday night’s game with the Oakland Athletics:
- Right-handed pitcher Joe Barlow (#68) contract selected from Round Rock (AAA)
- Left-handed pitcher Wes Benjamin (#63) recalled from Round Rock (AAA)
- Right-handed pitcher Demarcus Evans optioned to Round Rock (AAA)
- Right-handed pitcher Brett de Geus designated for assignment
- Outfielder David Dahl injury rehabilitation assignment transferred from Round Rock (AAA) to Frisco (AA)
Barlow, 25, will be in uniform for tonight’s game seeking his Major League debut. He has spent the season with Round Rock, going 0-1 with 7 saves and a 2.57 ERA (6 ER/21.0 IP) with 8 walks, 29 strikeouts (12.4 SO/9), and a 0.762 WHIP figure over 17 relief appearances for the Express in 2021. Through Tuesday’s games, Barlow’s 7 saves are tied for the Triple-A West league lead. Over his last 10 outings beginning May 27, Barlow has compiled a 1.38 ERA (2 ER/13.0 IP) with 5 walks/18 strikeouts and no home runs allowed. Originally selected in the 11th round of the 2016 June draft out of Salt Lake Community College, the Utah native did not pitch in 2020 and did not have any Spring Training ‘A’ game appearances in 2021. Barlow has compiled a 2.64 ERA with 12.8 strikeouts per 9 innings over 133 games/3 starts spanning his five professional seasons.
Benjamin has a 0-2 record with an 8.76 ERA (12 ER/12.1 IP) over 6 games/one start spanning three stints with the Rangers this season: Opening Day-April 16, May 14, and May 25-June 3. His last appearance with Texas came on June 3 at Colorado (2.0 IP, 4 R-ER). He has spent the balance of the season at Round Rock, posting a 1-2 record with a 6.60 ERA (11 ER/15.0 IP) in 4 games/starts with 6 walks and 15 strikeouts. His last minor league outing was a start on June 14 at Sugar Land (ND, 4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R-3 ER/1 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR, 82 pitches/55 strikes).
Evans had a 0-2 record with 2 blown saves and an 8.68 ERA (9 ER/9.1 IP) over 9 relief appearances for Texas after being recalled on May 25 for his first stint with the Rangers this season. He opened the season on the 10-day Injured List with a right lat strain. He has 5 appearances with Round Rock this season, posting a 1-0 record with a 2.35 ERA (2 ER/7.2 IP) and .172 opponents batting average over 5 relief appearances.
de Geus has posted no record with an 8.44 ERA (25 ER/26.2 IP) over 19 relief appearances for the Rangers this season in his first Major League action. He was selected from the Dodgers’ Triple-A roster in the Rule 5 Draft on December 10, 2020, and must now be placed on outright waivers. If he clears waivers, de Geus must be offered back to the Dodgers before the Rangers could assign him outright to the minor leagues.
Dahl was placed on the 10-day Injured List on May 26 with a left rib cage contusion and is eligible to be activated at any time. He went 2-for-11 with a double, triple, and 2 RBI over 3 games with Round Rock, making 2 starts as designated hitter and one in left field.
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.
