The Rangers had some interest in signing Lane Thomas last offseason, the Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant reports. The outfielder instead joined the Royals on a one-year, $5.25MM free agent deal that was “too rich for the Rangers’ blood,” as Grant puts it, but Thomas could be a possibility for Texas as the trade deadline approaches. Less than half of Thomas’ salary remains on the books, and he could be a fit as a platoon partner for Evan Carter in left field (or as a part-time center fielder since Wyatt Langford is currently on the IL).
Thomas is at least healthier and more productive than he was during his injury-marred 2025 campaign with the Guardians, but the outfielder has only an 86 wRC+ to show for a .214/.319/.338 slash line across 235 plate appearances in Kansas City. A part-time piece like Thomas would likely only do so much to help a Rangers team that could use a bigger offensive boost to stay afloat in the playoff race. Grant floats a few other speculative names that might be on the Rangers’ radar as Texas looks to add a bat and some bullpen help, among other needs.
More from around the AL West…
- A left calf strain sent Jeremy Pena to the 10-day injured list on June 30, but the Astros shortstop has resumed defensive and running drills. Manager Joe Espada told reporters (including the Houston Chronicle’s Matt Kawahara) that Pena is on pace to be activated in time for the Astros’ series with the Rangers just prior to the All-Star break, provided that Pena gets through a planned rehab game or two with Triple-A Sugar Land. Getting Pena back in minimal time would be a nice break for an Astros club that already without the shortstop for about a month earlier this season, when Pena was sidelined with a hamstring strain. Pena has been his usual productive self when healthy, hitting .295/.356/.443 over 202 PA this season.
- The Rangers might face another returning star before they face the Astros, as Mike Trout told MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger and other reporters that he is hoping to be activated from the 10-day IL during the Angels‘ upcoming series with Texas that begins on Tuesday. Trout hasn’t played since June 17 due to a hamstring strain, but the three-time MVP said he is back to doing his usual pregame routine. Baserunning was the only thing missing from Trout’s baseball activities, but he said his running drills are up to roughly 85 percent of his usual intensity. Under normal circumstances, the Angels might’ve held Trout out until after the All-Star break as an extra precaution, though Trout has a particular interest in playing in this year’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia near his hometown of Millville, New Jersey.
- In other Angels news, Yoan Moncada‘s recovery timeline was unknown when he underwent knee surgery in early June, but Francys Romero reports that Moncada was expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks. We’ve just entered the earliest part of that timeline now, though Moncada’s placement on the 60-day IL means that he isn’t eligible to return until at least July 20. Between the final stages of the recovery process and a minor league rehab assignment, Moncada projects to return to the Halos by late July or early August.
