Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers today announced the following roster moves prior to Saturday’s game against the Seattle Mariners:
- Right-handed pitcher Jonathan Hernández (#72) activated from 60-day Injured List.
- Right-handed pitcher A.J. Alexy optioned to Triple-A Round Rock.
- Outfielder Zach Reks, currently on option at Triple-A Round Rock, designated for assignment.
Hernández, 26, has spent the entire season on the 60-day Injured List as he continued to return from ‘Tommy John’ ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow on April 12, 2021. He combined to go 0-2 with a 3.60 ERA (6 ER/15.0 IP) and 13 walks/16 strikeouts over 16 relief appearances on injury rehabilitation assignment with Round Rock (AAA) and Frisco (AA), a stretch which began on June 3. Over his last 9 rehab outings beginning June 19, Hernández has a 1.08 ERA (1 ER/8.1 IP) with 4 walks against 11 strikeouts. He last pitched for Frisco on Wednesday vs. Midland (1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO, 30 pitches).
Hernández was selected the Rangers 2020 Rookie of the Year by the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America after going 5-1 with a 2.90 ERA over 27 relief appearances in that abbreviated season. His last Major League outing came on September 27, 2020 vs. Houston. He has gone 7-2 with a 3.40 ERA over 36 games/2 starts in his Major League career with the Rangers, all in 2019-20, averaging 9.4 strikeouts per 9 innings. He has spent his entire professional career in the Texas organization since signing as a non-drafted free agent on January 30, 2013.
Alexy pitched in relief on Friday vs. Seattle (2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R-ER), his only appearance with Texas this season after being recalled on Wednesday. He has spent the balance of the campaign at Round Rock, going 4-3 with a 6.43 ERA (50 ER/70.0 IP) over 18 games/14 starts.
The Rangers have seven days to trade, release, or outright Reks to the minor leagues. Reks has batted .265 with a double and 3 RBI in 16 games over three stints with Texas this season: April 30-May 10, May 30-June 2, and June 11-20. He has spent the balance of the season at Round Rock, batting .331 with 6 home runs and 21 RBI in 34 games.
Following today’s transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the club’s Major League roster, along with two players (Mitch Garver and Eli White) on the 60-day Injured List.