Texas Rangers Manager Surprises Rookie with Roster Spot During Game

Carter Baumler thought he was being pulled from the game when his manager approached the mound Monday night. Instead, Skip Schumaker delivered the news that the 24-year-old pitcher had earned a spot on the Texas Rangers' opening day roster.

ARLINGTON, Texas — What 24-year-old Carter Baumler thought would be the end of his final spring training appearance turned into the moment he learned he’d made the Texas Rangers’ opening day roster.

After the rookie right-hander got two Kansas City Royals batters out in Monday night’s fifth inning, Rangers manager Skip Schumaker walked to the mound with an unexpected message. Surrounded by catcher Danny Jansen and the entire infield, Schumaker delivered the news that Baumler would be joining the team’s bullpen for the regular season.

“I wasn’t expecting it. I was like, why is he coming out here? And he got on the mound and told me I made the team,” Baumler explained during a live television interview on the Rangers Sports Network. “I mean, honestly, I thought I was like getting taken out of the game. … Obviously, whenever the manager comes out, you’re usually done.”

Following congratulations from his teammates on the field — including Jansen tapping his mitt against Baumler’s chest — the young pitcher regained his focus and finished the inning by striking out Isaac Collins with a 96.8 mph fastball.

Throughout eight spring training appearances, Baumler posted impressive numbers, surrendering just one earned run while recording 10 strikeouts across 9 1/3 innings.

When Baumler returned to the dugout after completing the inning, he embraced Schumaker and received congratulations from his teammates.

The journey to this moment hasn’t been straightforward for Baumler. Baltimore drafted him in the fifth round from an Iowa high school in 2020, but he underwent Tommy John surgery shortly afterward. After spending 2022-25 in Baltimore’s minor league system — never advancing beyond Double-A — the Orioles left him off their 40-man roster last fall. Pittsburgh selected him in December’s Rule 5 draft before immediately trading him to Texas.

“A few years ago I never would have expected this,” Baumler reflected. “Looking back … I’m glad I kept my head down and kept hammering away.”