The Texas Rangers are off tonight after they split their four-game series with the Houston Astros. Next, they will face the New York Yankees with the first game coming tomorrow. Despite having the day off, they still made some changes to their roster today. They first signed a two-way player, shortstop and pitcher Seong-Jun Kim, to a minor league contract. Later on, they claimed outfielder Michael Helman off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. They designated shortstop Jonathan Ornelas for assignment to make room for Helman on the 40-man.
Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster
Seong-Jun Kim
Kim is in his final year of High School at Gwangju Jeil High School in South Korea. He is set to graduate in January 2026, and afterward, he will join the Rangers. Kim is hitting .333 this season with a 1.015 OPS and features a 95-mph fastball.
Michael Helman
Helman in 18 games with the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, he hit .185 with a .553 OPS. He had four doubles, a home run, five RBI, 12 runs scored, a stolen base, and six walks. Through his first nine big league games, he owns a .300 batting average and an .800 OPS. He has two doubles and two runs scored. In 495 career minor league games, he hit .257 with a .764 OPS. He had 96 doubles, 12 triples, 68 home runs, 256 RBI, 318 runs scored, 95 stolen bases, and 184 walks.
Jonathan Ornelas
Ornelas, in four games this season, failed to record a hit. He recorded just one walk. In 30 Triple-A games, he’s hitting .204 with a .574 OPS. He has three doubles, seven RBI, nine runs scored, three stolen bases, and 18 walks. In 30 career games with the Rangers, he’s hit .184 with a .470 OPS. He has two doubles, three RBI, three runs scored, and three walks. In 610 minor league games in the Rangers system, he hit .266 with a .725 OPS. He has 103 doubles, 18 triples, 42 home runs, 256 RBI, 379 runs scored, 78 stolen bases, and 255 walks.
