BREAKING: Rangers designate right-hander for assignment
The Rangers announced on Sunday that right-hander Shaun Anderson has been designated for assignment. In a related move, right-hander Gerson Garabito was called up from the minors and is set to start Sunday’s game against the Twins, marking his major league debut.
Anderson joined the Rangers’ roster earlier this month after signing a minor league deal in April. Originally a third-round pick by the Red Sox in the 2016 draft, he debuted with San Francisco in 2019, posting a 5.44 ERA and 4.77 FIP over 96 innings in 28 appearances (16 starts). Since then, Anderson has struggled to secure major league innings, making just 35 appearances across five teams from 2020 to 2022 with a 6.85 ERA and 5.57 FIP.
In 2023, Anderson tried his luck in the Korea Baseball Organization with the KIA Tigers, where he had some success as a starter, achieving a 3.76 ERA in 14 appearances. He returned to the U.S. later that year with a minor league deal with the Phillies but struggled, giving up 28 runs, including 11 home runs, in 11 starts at the Triple-A level.
Despite these challenges, the Rangers signed Anderson to a minor league deal in April, and he was added to the roster earlier this month. He made only two appearances for the Rangers, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings, resulting in a 5.40 ERA and 2.23 FIP. The Rangers now have seven days to trade Anderson or pass him through waivers. If he clears waivers, Anderson, having been outrighted before, can choose free agency.
Replacing Anderson is Garabito, a 28-year-old righty who began his pro career with the Royals in 2013. After seven seasons in their minor league system, he joined the Giants and posted a 4.71 ERA in 11 Triple-A appearances in 2021. Garabito then pitched in Nicaragua, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic, achieving a 2.86 ERA over 69 1/3 innings.
Garabito returned to U.S. baseball with the Rangers on a minor league deal before the 2024 season. He impressed with a 2.05 ERA and a 30.8% strikeout rate over 30 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. With several key pitchers injured, including Nathan Eovaldi and Jon Gray, the Rangers have decided to give Garabito his first major league opportunity against the Twins.