Injured Rangers Catcher Begins Rehab Assignment with Sharp Outing

For injured Texas Rangers catcher Danny Jansen, the final stages of their return to the Major Leagues began on Tuesday night.

He started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock as the Express hosted the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.

Jansen started the game behind the plate and batted third behind center fielder Alejandro Osuna and second baseman Cody Freeman. The goal was for Jansen to play five innings behind the plate and get at least two at bats.

He managed both. Jansen went 1-for-2 with a run scored and a strikeout and left the game after five innings as he was replaced by Julian Brock.

What’s Next for Danny Jansen?

Texas Rangers catcher Danny Jansen high-fives teammates in the dugout. — Texas Rangers catcher Danny Jansen. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Rangers haven't been clear about what Jansen’s progression might be. For most position players the first game of a rehab assignment is usually followed by a day off. Jansen could get a day off on Wednesday or he could be used as a designated hitter, so he gets more at-bats.

Given that Jansen is recovering from a strained right forearm, it's unlikely Texas would scaffold back-to-back starts behind the plate this early, though it's not out of the question.

If Jansen does start on Wednesday and plays back-to-back games behind the plate, it could be an indication the Rangers believe he's far enough along to accelerate his rehab. There is no timetable for his return, but he is eligible to be activated once he's ready. He is currently on the 60-day injured list, which means Texas would have to make a 40-man roster move to activate him.

Texas is currently using Elias Diaz and Austin Wynns behind the plate. The other opening day-catcher, Kyle Higashioka, is on the 10-day injured list with a flexor tendon injury in his arm. When Jansen returns, it's unclear how the Rangers would create room. Either catcher on the active roster must go through the process of being designated for assignment since both are long time veterans and cannot be optioned.

The same goes for Jansen, who has the service time to refuse an outright option. Additionally, Texas has him under contract for 2027 so sending him through the DFA process or outright releasing him really isn’t an option.

The only other catcher under team control for 2027 is Logan O’Hoppe, who was acquired last month in a trade and is at Round Rock. He has been one of the hottest hitters in the organization since he joined the Rangers. But his defense is a question mark.

Before the injury, Jansen slashed .171/.277/.309 with three home runs and 12 RBI in a tandem with Higashioka.

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