Rangers place – Danny Jansen was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right forearm strain ahead of Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians. The Rangers made the move retroactive to June 3 and signed veteran catcher Elias Diaz, while catcher prospect Josh Smith be
Texas’ behind-the-plate plans changed before Saturday’s first pitch against the Cleveland Guardians.
The Rangers placed catcher Danny Jansen on the 10-day injured list with a right forearm strain. The assignment was made retroactive to June 3, turning a routine depth check into a short-term scramble for reliable catching. To help fill the void behind the plate, Texas signed veteran catcher Elias Diaz to a major league contract.
Jansen, 31, said the issue surfaced after catching Jacob deGrom’s start in St. Louis on June 1. Scans later revealed elbow inflammation, and Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said the injury primarily affects Jansen when throwing. Schumaker also pointed out that while Jansen could have played in an emergency situation. his ability to control the running game would have been limited.
That limitation matters right now because Jansen has been doing most of the work for Texas. The veteran backstop is in an offensive slump. batting .171 (21-for-123) with three home runs. six doubles. one triple and 12 RBIs across 41 games. Even through the cold stretch. he has handled the bulk of the catching duties. leading the club with 36 starts behind the plate. and he has not appeared in a game since June 2.
Elias Diaz is the immediate answer. The 35-year-old veteran became a free agent after his departure from the Kansas City Royals. and in 10 games with Kansas City this season he hit .227 with two home runs. five RBIs. two doubles and an .852 OPS. Diaz arrives with major league experience across multiple stops—12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Colorado Rockies. San Diego Padres and Royals—carrying a .246 career batting average with 73 home runs and 331 RBIs in 840 games.
His recent resume includes standout recognition at the All-Star level. Diaz was selected to the National League All-Star team in 2023 and earned All-Star Game MVP honors after hitting the game-winning two-run homer in Seattle. Defensively. he also brings a running-game profile; Diaz ranked third among National League catchers with 65 runners caught stealing from 2021-25. behind only JT Realmuto and Will Smith.
Texas also made a separate move involving a player returning from illness. The Rangers assigned infielder Josh Smith to Double-A Frisco for a rehabilitation stint. Smith has been unavailable since May 3 due to a glute strain, and he was later diagnosed with viral meningitis. The plan is for him to serve as Frisco’s designated hitter as he begins his return to action.
With Saturday’s game approaching. Texas entered the matchup in second place in the American League West—one spot above the stress of an uneven catching situation. but now forced to navigate it immediately. Jansen’s absence leaves a clear opening for Diaz behind the plate. while the Rangers wait to see how quickly the forearm strain and elbow inflammation settle enough for Jansen to get back to managing both the pitching staff and the running game.
Texas Rangers Danny Jansen Elias Diaz injured list right forearm strain Guardians Cleveland Guardians Skip Schumaker Jacob deGrom Josh Smith viral meningitis Double-A Frisco
10-day IL again? Catchers always hurt at the worst times.
So Jansen was throwing and it affects his elbow? Also why is it retroactive to June 3 like that helps him now lol. Elias Diaz better catch everything or this turns into another mess.
Elias Diaz coming in like it’s a simple swap but Jansen has been doing most of the catching, right. If his bat is slumping (.171) I guess they’re just like “throw him on IL and call it a reset”?? But then they say he could play in an emergency… so he couldn’t even catch normally? Confusing.
I read “right forearm strain” and immediately thought deGrom punched something again?? Like it’s always the pitchers fault in my head. But apparently scans show elbow inflammation and it’s about throwing. Still, Texas is behind the plate already, so bringing up Diaz is probably just to stop the running game from stealing bases or whatever.