The Texas Rangers have claimed infielder Phil Gosselin on waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, and have optioned him to AAA Round Rock, per John Blake on Twitter. The Rangers have also outrighted Tyler Smith to AAA Round Rock, per Blake.
It was announced yesterday that Smith, who had been claimed on waivers from the Mariners on July 30, had been optioned to AAA Round Rock. Apparently at some point he was then waived and cleared waivers. As a result, he is no longer on the 40 man roster.
Gosselin, 28, was a fifth round draft pick out of the University of Virginia by the Atlanta Braves in 2010. He was the return that the Diamondbacks got when they traded Touki Toussaint and Brandon Arroyo to Atlanta in 2015 when the Diamondbacks dumped Arroyo’s contract on the Braves. The Pirates acquired him in the offseason for someone named Frank Duncan.
Gosselin mostly plays second base, though he also plays some third base and the outfield, as well as the occasional shortstop. He has a career .272/.324/.368 slash line. I’m kind of baffled as to why the Rangers claimed him, but hey, might as well churn the roster when you’ve got 40 man spots available.
The Rangers’ 40 man roster is now at 39.