Texas Rangers Add Outfielder Dairon Blanco and Place Jordan Montgomery on Injured List
The Texas Rangers have added outfielder Dairon Blanco to their roster after claiming him off waivers from the Kansas City Royals. To make room for Blanco, the Rangers placed left-hander Jordan Montgomery on the 60-day injured list. Blanco, a 32-year-old Cuban player, has had a solid career in the majors, batting .257 with seven home runs and 34 RBIs in 171 games. He is known for his speed on the basepaths, with 59 stolen bases in 73 attempts and the most pinch-running appearances in the majors since 2022. In Triple-A Omaha last season, Blanco hit .253 and stole 32 bases.
Montgomery, who recently signed a one-year deal with the Rangers, is recovering from his second elbow reconstruction surgery. He was a key player in the Rangers' 2023 World Series championship, posting a 4-2 record with a 2.79 ERA in 11 regular-season games after being acquired at the trade deadline. Montgomery also played a crucial role in the AL Championship Series, winning two games, including the Game 7 clincher against Houston. After leaving the Rangers in free agency, he joined the Diamondbacks and had a challenging 2024 season, going 8-7 with a 6.23 ERA before missing the entire following season. Throughout his career with the New York Yankees, St. Louis, Texas, and Arizona, Montgomery has accumulated a 46-41 record with a 4.03 ERA in 166 games.
The addition of Dairon Blanco brings speed and versatility to the Texas Rangers' roster, while the placement of Jordan Montgomery on the injured list allows him to focus on his recovery from surgery. Blanco's base-stealing ability and experience in the majors make him a valuable asset for the team, while Montgomery's past success and postseason performance highlight his potential impact once he returns to full health. The Rangers are looking to strengthen their roster with these moves as they prepare for the upcoming season.