Rangers' shocking roster move speaks volumes about team's offensive struggles

The Texas Rangers have selected the contract of outfielder Jarred Kelenic and optioned infielder Josh Smith to Triple-A Round Rock, the team announced. Texas transferred utilityman Michael Helman to the 60-day injured list to clear a 40-man roster spot.

This feels like a desperate move for Texas, which ranks 28th in the league in runs (292) and 24th in OPS (.700). While Kelenic was once a top prospect and has posted an outstanding .340/.431/.620 slash line with three home runs and 11 RBI in 13 games with Triple-A Round Rock since joining the Rangers organization earlier in the month, he has pretty much proved he's a bust at the big-league level. Over 426 MLB games since making his debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2021, Kelenic has hit .211/.283/.374 (84 wRC+) with an abysmal 30.7% strikeout rate.

It makes sense why the Rangers selected Kelenic's contract. Sure, he's struggled immensely in his big-league career, but he was a top prospect for a reason. Even though Kelenic likely isn't the answer to Texas's offensive struggles, the Rangers need to make moves that have even the smallest chance of improving the offense, which went 0-for-18 with runners in scoring position over its past three games against the Minnesota Twins.

Kelenic had 59 plate appearances across 19 games with the Chicago White Sox this year before being designated for assignment in late May, slashing .226/.305/.321 (78 wRC+) with one home run and four RBI. It's likely Kelenic will put up similar numbers to those with Texas, but the team may as well see if his Triple-A hot streak can continue with the big-league squad.

Rangers hoping Jarred Kelenic can provide more offense than Josh Smith

Meanwhile, Smith has been a major disappointment for the Rangers this year after being an above-average hitter (107 wRC+) over the last two seasons. In 117 plate appearances across 34 games in 2026, Smith has hit .218/.316/.248 (65 wRC+) with no home runs and six RBI, before missing 37 games while battling meningitis.

As bad as Kelenic has been in his major-league career, it's difficult to imagine he could be much worse than Smith has been this year. At this point, Kelenic seems to have more upside than Smith.

It's uncertain how much playing time Kelenic will receive with Texas. Obviously, outfielders Brandon Nimmo and Wyatt Langford will remain everyday outfielders. Joc Pederson had done a good job holding down the designated hitter position. Outfielder Alejandro Osuna, who is hitting .240/.352/.260 (85 wRC+) this year, is the player who will most likely see the biggest decrease in playing time due to the addition of Kelenic to the roster.

While Evan Carter, who is sidelined with an oblique strain, has struggled at the plate this year, his strong defense and past MLB success suggest the team will want him back in the lineup regularly when he returns from the IL. Therefore, Kelenic will likely have to absolutely rake to remain on the Rangers' 26-man roster when Carter returns.

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