Veteran infielder Matt Carpenter might still have a place in MLB. However, his next majors appearance won’t be with the Texas Rangers’ roster since the franchise decided to release him earlier this week.
Carpenter signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers ahead of the 2022 MLB season, hoping to make the MLB roster through spring training. After that wasn’t the case, he accepted to go down to Triple-A and suit up for Round Rock Express.
The 36-year-old player was solid for Express, batting .275 and hitting six home runs and 19 RBIs so far in the campaign. But despite this, the Rangers felt they couldn’t give him the opportunity in MLB. As a result, the two sides decided to “mutually part ways.”
“We appreciate Matt’s leadership and the example he set during his time with the organization,” Rangers’ President of Baseball Operations Jon Daniels said in a statement.
Matt Carpenter previously spent 13 years as a mainstay in MLB with the St. Louis Cardinals. He made three All-Stars during that time and earned one Silver Slugger Award. Carpenter’s career stats include a .262 batting average, 155 homers, and 576 RBIs.
Carpenter’s good run in Triple-A should prompt some teams to give him an extended look. The list could well include the Cardinals, who fittingly lack depth in the infield due to injuries.
