Who's Out for Texas Rangers When Leody Taveras Returns?
The Texas Rangers are about to have a very good problem on their hands. Center fielder Leody Taveras is nearing a return to the active roster after spending the last few days on a rehab assignment.
His return means that another player will inevitably become a roster casualty. The leading candidates are veteran Travis Jankowski and second-year player Bubba Thompson.
That decision has become tougher following both of their performances on Easter Sunday against the Chicago Cubs.
Jankowski had a solid showing in his first start of the 2023 MLB season going 1-for-3 with a run-scoring single and scoring two runs. He also plays above-average defense in all three outfield spots.
Thompson had an even better day going 2-for-4, driving in runs with a double and triple, while also crossing the plate twice. Thompson is an incredibly speedy player as well. His defense in center is among the best on the team and his base running skills are quickly turning heads.
Despite their performances on Sunday, and their versatility, it remains likely that one of them will be the roster casualty when Taveras, who suffered a low-grade oblique strain, returns to the 26-man roster.
Designating Jankowski for assignment would leave him susceptible to other teams on the waiver wire. It's likely he would be claimed by another MLB team due to his defensive skills and ability to provide production from the bench.
Thompson on the other hand still has options available. Texas could send Thompson to Triple-A Round Rock without risk of losing him. It could also provide Thompson the ability to get everyday at-bats rather than waiting to be rotated in off the bench at the Major League level.
While Thompson could and should provide more value than Jankowski in the long-term, keeping the latter on the roster, especially in the early goings of the season may be the wisest choice for the Rangers.
Thompson, a former first-round pick in the 2017 MLB draft, could still benefit from added development. Jankowski provides a veteran presence and leadership off the bench.
While a tough decision either way, it seems Texas may elect to demote Thompson when Taveras returns. Still, the Rangers made some surprising roster moves this spring and this may get added to the list.
The Rangers (5-4) open a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. at Globe Life Field.
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You can find Kade Kistner on Twitter @KadeKistner.
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