Rangers Target Alexi for Key Role in Upcoming Starburst On Big Stage

The Texas Rangers have designated right-handed reliever Alexis Díaz for assignment, creating room on the roster for veteran left-hander Jalen Beeks, whose one-year contract with the club has now been made official. Díaz, 29, signed a one-year, $1 million major-league deal with Texas earlier in the offseason, but his struggles during spring training raised concerns for the club. According to MLB Trade Rumors , in three Cactus League appearances, he faced 13 hitters and issued four walks while also hitting a batter, continuing a troubling trend with his command.

The right-hander’s control problems date back to last season. In 2025, Díaz walked more than 14 percent of hitters he faced in the majors and an even higher percentage during time spent in Triple-A. With those issues resurfacing this spring, the Rangers ultimately decided to remove him from the roster.

There is a possibility the move was part of a broader roster strategy. Teams have increasingly signed players with fewer than five years of major-league service time to modest guaranteed deals, then attempted to pass them through waivers. Because Díaz has just over three years of service time, he would not keep the remainder of his guaranteed salary if he rejected an outright assignment, which increases the likelihood he would remain in the organization if he clears waivers.

If unclaimed, then Díaz could accept an outright assignment and continue working with the Rangers at the Triple-A level as a potential reclamation project. Earlier in his career, Díaz appeared poised to follow the path of his older brother, star closer Edwin Díaz. The younger Díaz enjoyed a strong rookie season in 2022 with the Cincinnati Reds , posting a 3.