The Rangers announced they’ve designated reliever Grant Anderson for assignment. The move opens the necessary 40-man roster spot for Joc Pederson, who has officially signed his $37MM free agent deal.
Anderson has been on the roster since May 2023. The low-slot righty has made 49 big league appearances as an up-and-down reliever. His major league work hasn’t been great, as he has allowed 6.35 earned runs per nine over 62 1/3 innings. Anderson’s respective strikeout (21.5%) and walk (8.8%) rates aren’t far off league average. He has had massive home run issues, though, giving up 16 longballs (2.31 per nine innings) in his major league career.
That hasn’t been as big a problem in the minors. Anderson didn’t allow a single homer over 27 2/3 Triple-A innings this year. He fanned 28.3% of minor league opponents and turned in a sub-3.00 ERA in the Pacific Coast League. Anderson has a 3.87 mark over parts of three seasons for the organization’s top affiliate in Round Rock.
After the New Year, the Rangers will have a week to trade Anderson or attempt to run him through waivers. The 27-year-old has just over one year of major league service. He has one option remaining, so another team could keep him in Triple-A next season if they’re willing to carry him on the 40-man roster.