Rangers trade for Shane Carle, DFA Kyle Dowdy

Texas Rangers transactions: Shane Carle, a righthanded relief pitcher, has been acquired from the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations, the Rangers announced today. To make room for Carle on the 40 man roster the Rangers have activated Kyle Dowdy from the injured list and designated him for assignment.

The decision to DFA Rule 5 pick Dowdy, who was nearing the end of his 30 day minor league rehab assignment, comes as at least a minor surprise to me, given the team had stuck with him two-thirds of the way through the season. As a Rule 5 selection, Dowdy could not be optioned. He had a scoreless outing for the AZL Rangers and for Frisco on his rehab assignment, but had allowed 12 runs in 12.1 IP in 8 outings for Nashville. While on the major league roster, Dowdy had allowed 20 runs in 22.1 IP. Texas now has 7 days to waive or trade Dowdy, and if he clears waivers, he must be offered back to Cleveland, his original club.

Carle is a 27 year old reliever originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates on 2013. Pittsburgh traded him to Colorado in 2014, then claimed him on waivers in January, 2018, then traded him to Atlanta two weeks later. Carle put up a 2.86 ERA and 3.84 FIP for Atlanta in 64 IP in 2018, but allowed 10 runs in 9.1 major league IP this season and has spent most of the year in AAA, where he has a 5.13 ERA in 33 IP. He was designated for assignment earlier this week.

According to Fangraphs, Carle averages 95 mph on his fastball, and he’s listed at 6’4”, so this would be one more big hard throwing righty for the Rangers relief corps. He is on his second option and is being assigned to Nashville.