The Texas Rangers have designated relief pitcher Sam Dyson for assignment, the team says.
FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal tweeted early Friday that sources told him the Rangers were planning to replace the erstwhile closer with reliever Jose Leclerc, who is set to come off the disabled list.
The team confirmed exactly that move in the afternoon.
In 16⅔ innings this season, Dyson has given up 31 hits, 12 walks and 6 home runs, leading to a 10.80 ERA. Opposing teams have taken tied or taken a lead in seven of his 17 appearances.
Opposing hitters have a 1.156 OPS against Dyson this season (.658 last season). For reference, hitters facing Dyson would rank third in the league in OPS, just behind Mike Trout.
Rosenthal added that he expects one of several teams interested in Dyson to trade for him. Despite his struggles this season, pitchers with Dyson's recent success, pitching repertoire and low salary aren't easy to find.
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Dyson was stellar for the Rangers in 2016, saving 38 games in 43 opportunities with an ERA of 2.43 and a 2.39 strikeout-walk ratio (0.58 this season).
When a team designates a player for assignment, they are removing him from the 40-man roster. The team then has 10 days to trade the player, release the player, place the player on waivers or outright the player to the minor leagues. Dyson is out of minor league options, so the Rangers cannot outright him without his consent.
