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Rangers Reinstate Jansen, Designate Wynns for Assignment
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- Rangers Reinstate Jansen, Designate Wynns for Assignment
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Texas Rangers are getting an important piece of their catching group back as the club prepares for the final stretch of the regular season.
The Rangers announced Tuesday that catcher Danny Jansen has been reinstated from the 60-day Injured List. To make room for Jansen on the roster, Texas designated catcher Austin Wynns for assignment.
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Jansen had been sidelined since June because of a right forearm strain. His return gives the Rangers another experienced option behind the plate as they look to settle their catching situation heading into the closing weeks of the season.
Texas entered the year with Jansen and Kyle Higashioka expected to handle most of the catching responsibilities. Injuries eventually changed those plans, with Jansen landing on the Injured List before Higashioka also missed time because of a flexor strain.
Those absences opened the door for Elias Díaz and Wynns to take on larger roles.
Wynns joined the Rangers on a minor-league contract in June after spending time with the Athletics and Atlanta Braves earlier in the season. Texas called him up in July after Higashioka went on the Injured List, and he quickly became part of the club's catching rotation alongside Díaz.
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Wynns appeared in 14 games for Texas and hit .276 during that stretch. Overall, however, he has struggled offensively this season while moving between multiple organizations.
The Rangers will now move forward with Jansen and Díaz as their primary catching options. Because Wynns is out of minor league options, Texas had to designate him for assignment rather than simply sending him back to the minors.
Wynns will now go through the waiver process. If another team does not claim him, he will have the opportunity to elect free agency. His experience could make him an appealing depth option for another club looking for a veteran catcher.
Texas also announced that left-hander Marco Gonzales has elected free agency after clearing outright waivers.
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Gonzales was designated for assignment earlier this month and has now reached free agency following another stint with the Rangers. He appeared in limited action for Texas this season, working 6.2 innings out of the bullpen and allowing one earned run.
The 34-year-old spent the 2025 season recovering from flexor tendon surgery and has primarily served as pitching depth this year.
Gonzales previously cleared waivers after Texas designated him for assignment and ultimately returned to the organization on a minor league contract. A similar outcome could be possible again.
For now, the biggest development for Texas is the return of Jansen, who provides the Rangers with an experienced catcher as they head into the final portion of the season.
