Davis

Wendzel

Johnson was 7-for-19 in Spring Training with no homers or stolen bases, leaving him as a career .327/.411/.531 hitter in three years in big league camp. After hitting .272/.363/.382 for Double A Altoona last year as a 21-year-old, he’ll likely head to Triple-A Indianapolis in 2026.

Wendzel represents a depth addition for the Pirates heading into next season as a potential bench option. The 28-year-old got into 27 games for the Rangers back in 2024 and hit .251/.346/.428 with 13 homers in 98 games at the Triple-A level with Cincinnati this past season.

Wendzel, who hit .128/.163/.234 in 49 plate appearances for Texas early this season, cleared waivers a month after the Reds picked him up from the Rangers for cash considerations. He’ll stick with Louisville for now.

The Reds acquired Wendzel before the trade deadline after he was designated for assignment by the Rangers. Now he’s been booted off the Reds’ 40-man roster to make room for Rhett Lowder. Wendzel has just six at-bats in the major leagues this year all of which came with Texas.

Wendzel was designated for assignment earlier this week by the Rangers and heads to Cincinnati in a small trade deadline swap.

Wendzel had been in the minors since July 4, but this takes him off the 40-man. Odds are that he’ll be claimed, perhaps by a non-contender that would put him right into the lineup. He struggled in 27 major league games this season, batting .128/.163/.234 in 49 plate appearances, but he hit 30 homers in Triple-A last year and is at .299/.381/.496 with six homers in 33 games there this year.

Wendzel was optioned back to the minors ahead of Thursday’s game against the Padres. The 27-year-old rookie infielder has gotten into 27 games this season in the big leagues.

Wendzel spent most of April and May with the Rangers, going 2-for-19 with a homer and no walks. He’ll be available as a backup infielder while Corey Seager is sidelined.

Wendzel did not appear in the last homestand and is just 2-for-29 in 17 games with the Rangers this season. He will return to a .314/.419/.657 slash line at Triple-A with three home runs in nine games. His defensive versatility will likely put him in line for another call-up later in the season.

Carter will get a day of rest against southpaw Alex Wood. While Carter sits the Rangers will have Ezequiel Duran play left field and hit seventh. Josh Smith also gets the day off for the Rangers with Davis Wendzel getting the start at third.