The Texas Rangers sent right-handed reliever Michel Otañez outright to Triple-A Round Rock, clearing him through waivers after a brief stint in DFA limbo.
MLB's transaction data lists Otañez as designated for assignment by Texas on June 13 and outrighted from the Rangers to the Round Rock Express on June 18. MLB Trade Rumors first surfaced the move Friday from the MLB.com transaction log.
Otañez Clears Waivers After Rangers DFA
Otañez, 28, remains in the Texas system because this is his first career outright, according to MLB Trade Rumors. The move removes him from the 40-man roster while keeping him assigned to Round Rock.
The Rangers originally designated him for assignment last weekend. MLBTR noted that the roster move came when Texas selected veteran right-hander Joe Ross to the major league roster.
Otañez has spent the season at Triple-A despite previously holding a 40-man spot. MLBTR credited him with a 6.15 ERA over 26 1/3 innings for Round Rock, with a 30.8 percent strikeout rate but walks to more than 20 percent of batters faced.
Texas Keeps A Power Arm In Round Rock
MLB's player record lists Otañez as a 6-foot-4 pitcher from the Dominican Republic who made his major league debut on June 10, 2024. He turns 29 on July 3.
The right-hander appeared in 42 major league games for the Athletics across the previous two seasons, according to MLBTR, striking out 34 percent of opponents but walking 14 percent over 39 1/3 innings.
For Texas, the roster result is simple: Otañez is no longer on the 40-man roster, but the Rangers keep the arm in the organization. MLBTR reported he can reach minor league free agency after the season if Texas does not add him back to the 40-man roster.