Rangers just got intriguing late-season pinch-runner option with latest waiver claim

Texas Rangers claim speedy outfielder Dairon Blanco off waivers from Kansas City Royals

The Rangers have claimed outfielder Dairon Blanco off waivers from the Royals after he was designated for assignment last week to make room for outfielder Starling Marte on the team's 40-man roster, according to Beisbol FR's Francys Romero. The Rangers moved left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery to the 60-day injured list as he continues recovering from Tommy John surgery to make room for Blanco on their 40-man roster.

Blanco, 33 in April, made his MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2022. He played in just five games with Kansas City that year before appearing in 69 in 2023, 88 in 2024 and nine in 2025. He notably posted 1.2 bWAR and a 109 OPS+ in 2023 before posting just .01 bWAR and a 90 OPS+ the following season. Throughout his 171-career MLB games, Blanco has stolen 59 bases in 73 attempts. He made one postseason appearance, entering as a pinch-runner and stealing a base in the Royals' 2-1 victory in Game 2 of the 2024 American League Wild Card Series against the Baltimore Orioles. He played the rest of the game in left field.

Blanco, a Cuban native, signed a minor-league contract with the Oakland Athletics in 2018. The Athletics traded Blanco and right-handed pitcher Ismael Aquino to the Royals in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jake Diekman at the 2019 Trade Deadline.

In six minor-league seasons, Blanco has slashed .283/.353/.435 with 47 homers, 90 doubles, 33 triples and 220 stolen bases in 265 attempts over 542 games.

Dairon Blanco could play big role for Rangers later in 2026 season

It's hard to imagine that Blanco makes the Rangers' Opening Day roster, but he could be a solid pinch-runner/defensive replacement option later in the season if Texas finds itself in playoff contention. He's also good depth in case one or more outfielders on the big-league squad suffer an injury. The former Royal, who has two hits in five at-bats this spring, can play all three outfield positions.

If the Rangers make the playoffs this year, Blanco's speed could land him on the team's postseason roster. Over the course of the regular season, MLB teams typically don't want to use a roster spot on someone who's mainly a pinch-runner/defensive replacement. But once the postseason arrives, teams tend to want at least one player with those skills on the bench for when games get close.