The Texas Rangers designated former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen for assignment after he hit .192 in 37 games, moving to add infield depth as Corey Seager and Josh Smith remain sidelined by health issues.
When the Texas Rangers moved Andrew McCutchen off their roster on Wednesday, it wasn’t just a roster shuffle. It was a response to a painful reality of the season’s grind: injuries in the middle of the infield have left them thin, and production hasn’t been there at the plate.
McCutchen, the former NL MVP outfielder, was designated for assignment after hitting .192 in 37 games. The Rangers replaced him with free agent infielder Nicky Cruz, a decision driven by the ongoing absences of shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Josh Smith.
Seager is out with lower back inflammation. Smith has not rejoined the team since a stint in the hospital following a diagnosis of viral meningitis. With that left side of the infield under pressure, Texas made the move to bring in another option and keep flexibility on the roster.
Chris Young, the Rangers president of baseball operations, spoke directly about why McCutchen’s situation changed. “Certainly respect to Andrew. what he’s accomplished. not only in this game. but more importantly. who he is as a person. ” Young said. “It’s been wonderful having him around. but we’re at a point where given the injuries on the left side of the infield. middle infield specifically. that we’re thin and so Nicky gives us another option and provides some versatility.”.
Cruz is a left-handed hitter who, at 31, has played in 693 major league games across parts of eight seasons with five teams. He was designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. On Wednesday night against Houston, Cruz was in the lineup batting ninth and playing second base.
For McCutchen, the numbers simply didn’t match what the team needed. With Texas, he totaled two doubles, one home run and five RBIs. Twenty-one of his plate appearances came as a pinch hitter, and those were the most at-bats as a pinch hitter by any MLB player this season.
The procedural clock now runs seven days for the Rangers to trade McCutchen, release him, or outright him to the minor leagues.
McCutchen’s history with baseball is longer than any single season’s slump. He played the past three seasons for Pittsburgh—the organization that drafted him in the first round in 2005 and promoted him for his major league debut in 2009. He spent his first nine years in the majors with the Pirates. made five straight All-Star teams. and won the 2013 National League MVP award. In Pittsburgh, he also became one of the most popular figures in franchise history.
After that, he moved through four other teams between 2018 and 2022 before returning to the Pirates. Last year, he played 135 games, hit .239 with 13 homers and 57 RBIs, and then became a free agent.
His career line reads .271 with 333 homers, 1,157 RBIs and 220 stolen bases across 2,299 games.
Even as Texas changes course, the Rangers have not forgotten what McCutchen has meant to the game. Skip Schumaker, the Rangers manager, said he saw the best of him up close. “I played against him during his MVP season,” Schumaker said. “I know who this guy is and I got to know him even better this year. Those are not easy, but part of the game. He was a pro and understood.”.
The roster decision also lands in a broader, unsettled picture for Texas at those key spots. Seager has been doing moderate baseball activity, but there is no timeline for his return. He has been eligible to come off the 10-day disabled list since Monday.
Smith’s situation has been more severe and more closely watched. He had been on the injured list since May 5 with a right glute strain. On May 15. the Rangers announced the 28-year-old was hospitalized at least a week after feeling ill and receiving the diagnosis of meningitis. Young said Smith could rejoin the club Thursday.
“We’ll be able to evaluate where he is from a strength standpoint,” Young said. “The physical toll that it’s taking on him and what the buildup is going to be, I can’t answer yet. But he’s healthy. We’re very grateful to the doctors and the medical staff that treated him and took great care of him.”
Andrew McCutchen Texas Rangers Nicky Cruz Corey Seager Josh Smith designated for assignment viral meningitis MLB injuries
Wait they DFA him for hitting .192? That’s brutal lol
I feel bad for McCutchen honestly. Like he’s a former MVP right? But if the injuries are messing everything up maybe it’s not really his fault. Also viral meningitis… wow hope everyone is okay.
So the Rangers replace him with Nicky Cruz who’s like… left handed? That seems weird if their problem is Seager/Smitty being out. Seems like they’re just shuffling names and hoping it fixes the lineup. Also I saw “middle infield” and I’m like okay but what about the outfield though?
“Thin” in the middle infield… man baseball is so ruthless. One month you’re “wonderful having him around” then boom DFA. I keep seeing McCutchen mentioned like he’s still the same guy as years ago but .192 in 37 games is yikes. Bet the fans were expecting more too. I just don’t get why they didn’t wait longer before doing the assignment thing.