CHICAGO – If nothing else works, it could at least be a good way out.
On Wednesday night, Rangers defensive back Travis Jankowski prevented a potential walk-off home run. Then on Thursday, baseball business called. According to a person familiar with the waiver information, the Rangers placed both Jankowski and veteran outfielder Robbie Grossman on the waivers list.
Clubs could make a claim on either player based on waiver priority, which is determined in reverse order of standings. If a club claims the player, it would take on the contract and the Rangers would receive only a meager savings — less than $200,000 in the case of either player. However, this would give the veterans a chance to move to a contending team for the final stretch. It would also free up space on the Rangers' 40-man roster to allow for additions in the form of minor league call-ups or players returning from the 60-day injured list (such as Jacob deGrom). Players must be transferred before 10:59 p.m. CT Saturday to be eligible for the postseason.
If the players go unclaimed, they may remain on the Rangers' major league roster. The Rangers have not commented on the waiver list, which was first reported by ESPN's Kiley McDaniel.
Jankowski and Grossman are well-respected in the Rangers locker room and both have a good chance of making the team. Although Jankowski has only a .195 batting average this season, his defense remains top-notch, as evidenced by his game-winning catch on Andrew Vaughn's pitch on Wednesday. It was the third “official” home run robbery for Jankowski since 2017, according to Baseball Information Solutions. It was the only home run robbery this season that would have otherwise resulted in a walk-off home run. Playoff teams can use a late-inning defensive/speed specialist.
Grossman, who spent last season with the Rangers and was brought back from Chicago in April, offers teams a potential right-handed DH against lefties or a right-handed pinch-hitting option against lefties. A switch hitter who is far more effective from the right side, Grossman has a .388 on-base percentage and an .819 OPS in 103 batting appearances against lefties.
Twitter: @Evan_P_Grant
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