Rangers' latest roster moves make perfect sense after taking a closer look

The Texas Rangers have selected the contract of infielder Jonah Bride and optioned outfielder Alejandro Osuna to Triple-A Round Rock, the team announced. Texas transferred right-handed starting pitcher Jack Leiter to the 60-day injured list to clear a 40-man roster spot for Bride.

Seeing Leiter, who underwent arthroscopic right ankle surgery in late June, transferred to the 60-day injured list may feel jarring, especially since he appears on track to return soon. However, when teams move a player to the 60-day IL, it's likely retroactive to when said player first landed on the IL. Texas originally placed Leiter on the IL on June 21 (retroactive to June 19), so it seems he will be eligible to return later this month.

Some Rangers fans may be confused as to why the Rangers optioned Osuna, as he has a solid .347 on-base percentage with Texas this year. There are two main reasons. For one, he has almost no extra-base pop, with just one home run and five doubles over 220 plate appearances in 2026. And second, his defensive play has been lackluster, as the outfielder has recorded -2 Defensive Runs Saved and -7 Outs Above Average.

The Rangers are pretty set in the outfield with Evan Carter, Wyatt Langford, and Brandon Nimmo, but with third baseman Josh Jung still on the IL, it makes sense why the Rangers swapped Bride for Osuna.

Bride has recorded innings at third and first base for Triple-A Round Rock this year. He has also played some left field for the Express, giving the Rangers more lineup flexibility. If Texas wants to set Carter against a tough southpaw, the team could use Bride in the outfield. Bride also played second base as recently as last season.

Rangers' Jonah Bride has had strong season with Triple-A Round Rock

Bride, 30, has slashed .282/.401/.425 with 10 home runs, 20 doubles, and 60 RBI across 97 games with Round Rock this season. If the Rangers can get that type of production from Bride in the majors, the club will get a much-needed offensive boost.

However, it's very unlikely Bride will be a major contributor for Texas this year. In 214 games across four seasons in the majors, Bride has hit just .221/.311/.313 with 12 home runs and 57 RBI. Last season, he slashed an awful .170/.248/.188 with no home runs and five RBI in 45 games between the Miami Marlins and Minnesota Twins.

Bride spent his first two big-league seasons (2022 and 2023) with the Oakland Athletics before being sent to the Miami Marlins for cash. He had a strong 2024 season, hitting .276/.357/.461 with 11 homers, 10 doubles, and 39 RBI over 71 games, so hopefully the Rangers can get that version of Bride, not the 2025 version.

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