Brandon

Workman

Workman wasn’t able to land a spot on the Ranger’s Opening Day roster this spring as a non-roster invitee. The 33-year-old veteran righty reliever, who appeared in 29 games last year with the Cubs and Red Sox, will head to free agency in search of a new opportunity.

The latest series of Rangers’ cuts leaves their major-league spring training roster at 43 players. Arihara, Tropeano and Workman will function as organizational pitching depth and Pozo provides some emergency catching depth moving forward.

The 33-year-old posted a 5.46 ERA and 2.04 WHIP over 28 frames last season for the Cubs and Red Sox.

Workman was designated for assignment by the Red Sox last week after they made several moves at the trade deadline. The 32-year-old righty struggled mightily during his brief return with the Red Sox, compiling a lackluster 4.95 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 14/14 K/BB ratio across 20 innings (19 appearances). He’ll test the free agent waters for a new opportunity.

Workman is taken off the 40-man roster to clear room for Kyle Schwarber after Schwarber came over in a trade. The right-hander could see some interest on the waiver wire, but if he doesn’t get claimed, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he elected free agency rather than report back to Triple-A Worcester.

Workman exercised the opt-out in his minor league contract with Boston earlier this week, but the Sox had a two-day window to promote him to the major league level and are doing just that ahead of Thursday’s matinee game against the Astros. Workman had posted a 1.29 ERA with 10 strikeouts in seven innings at Triple-A.

But there’s still a chance that the Red Sox wind up promoting him before that opt-out becomes official. Workman had pitched to a 1.29 ERA with 10 strikeouts in seven innings of work at Triple-A Worcester. He was cut loose by the Cubs in late April after posting a 6.75 ERA and 11/7 K/BB ratio across eight frames.

Workman was released by the Cubs last Thursday after allowing nine runs (six earned) over eight innings during the opening month of the season. He’s managed to latch on with his former organization, where he spent the first eight seasons of his career. He’ll head to Triple-A Worcester and could be an option as a high-leverage setupman behind closer Matt Barnes in the Red Sox bullpen at some point in the next few weeks.

Workman was brought in on a one-year, $1 million contract this winter but now heads to the waiver wire having surrendered nine runs -- six earned -- on 12 hits and seven walks in eight innings this season.

Workman ended up missing about a week due to COVID-19 protocols, after bullpen coach Chris Young tested positive earlier this week. The 32-year-old righty has made four appearances for the Cubs this season.