Texas Rangers DFA Outfielder in Series of Moves Before Giants Series

The Texas Rangers activated a long-time minor leaguer while Travis Jankowski moves to the paternity list.

The Texas Rangers announced the following roster moves prior to Friday night’s series opener against the Giants in San Francisco:

• Outfielder Travis Jankowski placed on the MLB Paternity Leave List.
• Outfielder J.P. Martínez (#50) contract selected from Triple-A Round Rock.
• Outfielder Bubba Thompson, currently on option at Triple-A Round Rock, designated for assignment.

Jankowski can remain on the Paternity League List for a maximum of 72 hours. He has batted .292 with one home run and 25 RBI over 75 games for Texas this season, recording a team-high 16 stolen bases.

Martínez, a 27-year-old Cuba native, has combined to bat .311/.435/.558/.993 (83-267) with 12 home runs, 56 RBI, and 36 stolen bases over 72 games with Round Rock (AAA), Frisco (AA), and Hickory (High-A) this season, making starts in center field (35), left field (16), right field (13), and designated hitter (6).

The left-handed batter and thrower was originally signed by Texas as a non-drafted free agent on March 6, 2018, and he has a .259 batting average with an .806 OPS figure and 140 stolen bases over 5 minor league seasons in the Rangers system. He played two seasons in the independent Canadian American Association, batting .297 with 7 home runs and 21 RBI in 2017. He debuted in the Cuban National Series at age 16 in 2012 and played five seasons in the circuit, posting a .293/.393/.430/.823 slash line over 297 games.

Thompson has batted .170 (9-53) with 4 RBI over 37 games/14 starts spanning two stints with Texas this season: Opening Day-June 2 and July 28-Aug. 1. He has spent the balance of the season with Round Rock. The Rangers have seven days to release or outright Thompson to the minor leagues.

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