Texas Rangers Make Big Cuts to Their Roster

The competition is heating up in Rangers camp, and the team has made some major cuts on Monday. We’re less than 10 days away from Opening Day, and the Rangers roster is slimming down quickly.

The biggest name of the players cut is veteran first baseman James Loney. The Texas Rangers informed Loney on Monday he won’t make the team, and he’ll now seek another opportunity through free agency.

According to T.R. Sullivan, the other players cut on Monday were outfielder Jared Hoying, pitchers Eddie Gamboa and Anthony Bass, and lastly catcher Steven Lerud. Hoying will report to Triple-A Round Rock, both Gamboa and Bass can seek other opportunities and can return to Round Rock if they don’t find them.

Lerud really had no shot at making the Rangers roster, and with a crowded catching situation in Triple-A, he’ll seek playing opportunities elsewhere. He hit .125 with two RBI in 16 at-bats this spring.

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This will be Hoying’s fifth season in Triple-A, but remains a solid option for Texas in case of injury. Spring Training didn’t go perfect for him, as he hit .220 with two home runs and five RBI in 41 at-bats.

Last season Bass spent the year in Japan, he left to pursue a Major League come back with the Rangers. He struggled in spring, allowing seven earned runs and 17 hits in just 14.0 innings of work. Much like Hoying, Bass could be a useful option if injuries begin to pile up.

It was an interesting spring for Gamboa who was acquired by the Rangers from the Tampa Bay Rays. He pitched in five games (three starts) allowing four earned runs with 16 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched. His presence brings both depth to the starting rotation and bullpen.

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The 32-year-old Loney really had no chance of making the Major League team after the Mike Napoli signing. Regardless he struggled heavily, hitting .174 with one home run and four RBI in 46 at-bats. Good luck to him on his search to find another opportunity elsewhere.