Texas Rangers relief pitcher Carter Baumler will begin a rehab assignment with Round Rock today, the team has announced. In addition, per Evan Grant, Robert Garcia will also be starting a rehab assignment with Round Rock later this coming week.
Baumler and Garcia were both members of the Opening Day bullpen, both went on the injured list in April, and both are guys who I figured we wouldn’t see again this season. However, it appears both will be pitching in minor league game action in the very near future, and both could end up back in the major league bullpen before too long.
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Baumler, a Rule 5 pick of the Rangers, appeared in four games before going on the injured list on April 5 with an intercostal strain. He appeared in three games for Round Rock on a rehab assignment before being pulled off due to a setback. If he isn’t on the major league roster for at least 90 days this year, his Rule 5 restrictions will carry over to the following year until he reaches that 90 day mark, so if he could come back in September, that would help reduce the number of days he’d have to be on the active roster next year.
Garcia threw eight innings over nine appearances before going on the injured list in late April with a shoulder strain. He was expected to be a key part of the Rangers’ late inning mix, and his being on the shelf for four-plus months has been a big blow to the pen.
Both players are on the 60 day injured list, but there are currently two open spots on the 40 man roster, so no move would need to be made there to clear a spot for them, once they are ready.
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