The Texas Rangers placed catcher Danny Jansen on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Wednesday before Saturday's game against Cleveland, citing a right forearm strain. Texas moved quickly to address the roster vacancy, signing catcher Elias Diaz to a major league contract after Kansas City granted him free agency earlier in the week.

Jansen has struggled offensively this season, hitting just .171 in 41 games with three home runs and 12 RBIs. The ninth-year veteran joined Texas as a free agent in December after splitting the 2025 season between Tampa Bay and Milwaukee. His injury creates a significant gap behind the plate for a Rangers team competing in the AL West.

Diaz provides immediate depth, having hit .227 in ten games with Kansas City this season while adding two homers and five RBIs. He signed with the Royals as a free agent in late February but became available when Kansas City granted him free agency on Wednesday. The Rangers also sent second baseman Josh Smith to Double-A Frisco on an injury rehabilitation assignment.

Smith hasn't played since May 3, initially dealing with a glute strain before viral meningitis was diagnosed the following week. Both players' situations reflect the Rangers' ongoing injury challenges as they navigate a crucial stretch in the 2026 season.

The moves signal Texas is prioritizing roster stability over the summer months.