OF Willie Calhoun designated for assignment
Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers announced the following roster moves prior to Sunday’s homestand finale against the Mariners:
- Outfielder Steele Walker (#40) contract selected from Triple-A Round Rock.
- Infielder Andy Ibáñez optioned to Triple-A Round Rock.
- Outfielder Willie Calhoun, currently on option at Triple-A Round Rock, designated for assignment.
The 25-year-old Walker is in today’s starting lineup as the leftfielder and he will be making his Major League debut. The Prosper, Texas native has spent the entire season with Round Rock, batting .297/.395/.486/.881 with 3 home runs, 5 doubles, and 9 RBI with 9 walks/11 strikeouts in 20 games. He has reached safely in 15 of his 18 starts, including a 5-for-6 game with 3 doubles and 3 RBI on May 28 at Albuquerque. Walker, who was acquired in a December 10, 2019 trade with the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Nomar Mazara, did not make his season debut until May 4 after suffering a concussion near the end of Spring Training. Walker was selected by the White Sox in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of the University of Oklahoma.
Ibáñez batted .216 with one home run and 9 RBI in 39 games for Texas this season. He had been with the Rangers for the entire season after making an Opening Day roster for the first time in his career.
Calhoun was optioned to Round Rock on May 1 after batting .136 with one home run and 2 RBI over 18 games for the Rangers this season. The Rangers have seven days to trade, release, or outright Calhoun to the minor leagues.
After today’s transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the Major League roster, along with two players (Jonathan Hernández and José Leclerc) on the 60-day Injured List.
