DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - The Rangers are moving into a new era as they have informed Rougned Odor that he has not made the club's opening day roster and will designate him for assignment.
Pat Doney from our media partner NBCDFW was the first to report the news Monday.
Because Odor has more than five years of MLB service time, he couldn't be optioned to the minor leagues without his approval. So he could simply force the Rangers to grant him his release while still being owed around $27 million over the next two years.
Odor entered spring training as a third baseman after manager Chris Woodward informed him that the club was giving Nick Solak every opportunity to win the job at second base. Rougie had performed well at times defensively, but his bat disappeared once again as he left Surprise with a .200 average.
Odor, 27, was the longest-tenured player on the club after Elvis Andrus was traded in the offseason to the Oakland A's. Odor has played 858 career games with the Rangers and was a part of one of the most memorable moments in the club's history when he punched Jose Bautista in 2016.
Odor signed a six-year, $49 million contract extension with the Rangers in 2017, but his offensive production dropped considerably soon after. In 2020, Odor hit just .167 with 10 home runs and 30 RBI in 148 at-bats. Over the last four years, he has consistently ranked near the bottom in WAR (Wins Above Replacement).
With Odor off the roster, the Rangers will turn to Brock Holt as their starting third baseman in 2021. Holt, however, will be used as a stopgap at the hot corner until the club's top prospect, Josh Jung, is ready to be called up.
Texas also informed utility infielder Charlie Culberson that he had made the club. The 31-year-old is also expected to see time at third base this season.