Rangers Inform Baumler of Roster Spot on Mound

In Arlington, Texas, on Monday night, Texas Rangers relief pitcher Carter Baumler received unexpected good news during a spring training exhibition game against the Kansas City Royals at Globe Life Field. Manager Skip Schumaker visited the mound in the fifth inning not to remove the 24-year-old right-hander, but to inform him that he had secured a spot on the team's opening day roster.

Baumler had entered the game in relief of MacKenzie Gore and quickly retired the first two batters he faced, allowing no runs up to that point. As Schumaker approached with catcher Danny Jansen and the infielders gathered around, Baumler assumed the visit signaled his exit from the outing, especially since he had not yet met the three-batter minimum requirement under major league rules. Instead, the group congratulated him on making the bullpen for the regular season start. Jansen patted Baumler's chest with his catcher's mitt, and the infielders offered handshakes and smiles before Schumaker returned to the dugout.

Composed despite the surprise, Baumler struck out Isaac Collins swinging on a 96.8 mph fastball to end the inning. He remained in the game briefly before being pulled prior to the...