The Texas Rangers have claimed first baseman Blaine Crim on waivers from the Colorado Rockies, the team announced today. To make room for Crim on the active roster, the Rangers have moved pitcher Carter Baumler from the 15 day injured list to the 60 day injured list.
Crim, who turns 29 next month, was originally a 19th round pick of the Rangers back in 2019. He spent a little over a week in the majors with Texas in 2025 when the team sent Jake Burger down to AAA for a reset, and went 0 for 11 with a walk
and an HBP in 13 plate appearances over 5 appearances. He was put on waivers later in the season and claimed by the Colorado Rockies. In 15 games with the Rockies last year, Crim slashed .241/.295/.556.
Crim has had a disappointing 2026 campaign thusfar, slashing .256/.339/.449 in 36 games for the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes, who play in a much more hitter-friendly environment than Round Rock. My assumption is that, given the underwhelming performance by the Rangers’ righthanded bench bats in the majors this season, and the overall lack of righthanded hitting depth in AAA, Texas saw Crim as someone who could provide from depth in that regard.
Baumler was a Rule 5 pick from the Baltimore Orioles this winter. He was left unprotected due to his having very little professional experience due to an extensive injury history. He made the Rangers out of spring training, but appeared in just four games before going on the injured list. He made three rehab appearances before being pulled off due to a rotator cuff strain.
Baumler going on the injured list doesn’t prevent him from meeting the requirements of spending the season on the major league roster for purposes of meeting the Rule 5 requirements, but he does have to spend at least 90 days on the active roster. If he does not do so, the Rule 5 restrictions would remain in place until he does spend 90 days on the active roster. Baumler spent 10 days on the active roster this year before going on the injured list, so if he spends the rest of the year on the injured list, he would have to spend 80 days on the active roster next year before he could be sent to the minors.
