Moving Day For Texas Rangers: Another Pitcher Injured, Former Outfielder Acquired, Jack Leiter Making 2nd MLB Start

Texas Rangers placed starting pitcher Dane Dunning on the injured list, traded for outfielder Robbie Grossman, and recalled Jack Leiter and Owen White from Triple-A Round Rock ahead of their doubleheader against the Oakland A's on Wednesday.
The Texas Rangers made several moves before their scheduled doubleheader Wednesday against the Oakland Athletics, including placing starting pitcher Dane Dunning, left, on the 15-day injured list. Right-handers Owen White and Jack Leiter, second from left and far right, were recalled from Triple-A Round Rock, and outfielder Robbie Grossman was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox.
The Texas Rangers made several moves before their scheduled doubleheader Wednesday against the Oakland Athletics, including placing starting pitcher Dane Dunning, left, on the 15-day injured list. Right-handers Owen White and Jack Leiter, second from left and far right, were recalled from Triple-A Round Rock, and outfielder Robbie Grossman was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. / Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports, Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports, Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Another Texas Rangers pitcher is headed to the injured list.

The Texas Rangers made multiple moves ahead of their scheduled doubleheader Wednesday against the Oakland Athletics, including placing right-hander Dane Dunning on the 15-day IL with a right rotator cuff strain.

Additionally, the club traded minor league right-handed reliever Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa to the Chicago White Sox for former Rangers outfielder Robbie Grossman. Grossman was on the Texas roster during their 2023 World Series title run. The left-hitting Grossman was acquired to help a weak-hitting Rangers lineup against left-handed pitchers.

Left-hander pitcher Kolton Ingram, 27, was designated for assignment to make room for Grossman on the 40-man roster. Ingram was claimed off waivers from the New York Mets on April 24 and pitched two innings for Triple-A Round Rock.

Right-hander Jack Leiter was called up from Round Rock to start Game 2 of the doubleheader and appointed the 27th man, carrying softer option restrictions. Right-hander Owen White was also recalled from Round Rock and infielder Jonathan Ornelas was optioned back to Round Rock.

Grossman, 34, batted .238 with 23 doubles and 10 homers in 115 games for the Rangers in 2023. The White Sox signed Grossman as a free agent in March. He batted .211 with four doubles and four RBI in 25 games with the White Sox.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy told reporters that Dunning is expected to be available when his IL stint is up on May 20. The Rangers are off Thursday before starting a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Friday in Denver. The club currently only has three healthy full-time starting pitchers in their rotation: Andrew Heaney, Jon Gray, and Michael Lorenzen, who started Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Third starter options in Colorado include José Ureña and Owen White.

Rangers starting pitchers currently in the IL include Dunning, Nathan Eovaldi (groin strain), Max Scherzer (back surgery recovery), Cody Bradford (fractured rib), Tyler Mahle (Tommy John recovery), and Jacob deGrom (Tommy John recovery).

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Stefan Stevenson
STEFAN STEVENSON

Stefan Stevenson worked as a journalist and editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for 25 years, covering sports, concerts, and general news. His beats have included the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, and Texas Christian University football.