Wes Benjamin - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Reassigned to minor-league camp Benjamin was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday.

Impact Benjamin has pitched in the KBO for the last two seasons but returned stateside on a minor-league deal this winter. He walked seven across six innings this spring, so it's not particularly surprising that he missed out on a roster spot.

MARCH 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Returns stateside with Friars The Padres signed Benjamin to a minor-league deal Monday, per MadFriars.

Impact Benjamin was a fifth-round pick of the Rangers in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. He got into 21 big-league games over 2021 and 2022, posting a 6.80 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 40:24 K:BB across 45 innings. The left-hander subsequently headed to the KBO, where he posted a 3.74 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 22.8 percent strikeout rate in 406.1 frames over parts of three seasons. Benjamin will likely begin 2025 with Triple-A El Paso.

FEBRUARY 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Outrighted to Triple-A Benjamin was outrighted to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Impact Benjamin was designated for assignment Sunday and has since passed through waivers unclaimed. In 22.2 innings with the big-league club this season, Benjamin managed only an 8.74 ERA and 2.03 WHIP.

OCTOBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

DFA'd Sunday The Rangers designated Benjamin for assignment Sunday.

Impact Benjamin, who has been at Triple-A Round Rock since Sept. 14, had a 8.74 ERA and 2.03 WHIP in 22.2 big-league innings this season.

OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to minors Benjamin was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

Impact Benjamin was with the big-league squad since late August while the Rangers dealt with a coronavirus outbreak, but he's no longer needed now that players have begun to return from the injured list. He allowed 11 runs (10 earned) in 8.1 innings during his latest stint with the team.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Allows six in spot start Benjamin allowed six runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts through 3.1 innings, taking a no-decision in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Athletics.

Impact Benjamin got the start on short notice after Kolby Allard was scratched with an illness. He gave up homers to Starling Marte, Matt Olson and Mark Canha but was bailed out by the rest of the bullpen, which combined to hold the Athletics scoreless for the remaining 5.2 frames. He'll likely return to the bullpen after what was a disappointing outing.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Starting bullpen game Saturday Benjamin will start Saturday's game against the Athletics.

Impact This will amount to a bullpen game for Texas, as Kolby Allard was a late scratch due to an illness. Benjamin has thrown between one and 2.1 innings in each of his last four appearances.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Called up as COVID replacement The Rangers recalled Benjamin from Triple-A Round Rock ahead of Monday's game against the Red Sox, freelance baseball journalist Jeff Wilson reports.

Impact Benjamin was summoned from the minors to give the Rangers a healthy arm after starter Mike Foltynewicz and long reliever Drew Anderson were placed on the COVID-19 injured list Monday. As a result of Foltynewicz being deactivated, the Rangers will likely shorten their rotation from six to five men, with Spencer Howard moving up a day in the pitching schedule to take Foltynewicz's turn Wednesday in Cleveland. Though Benjamin will be available out of the bullpen Monday and in Tuesday's series opener in Cleveland, the Rangers will likely look to stay away from him, if possible, so he can serve as a piggyback option behind Howard, who hasn't worked more than three innings in any of his three starts with Texas. Anderson had previously worked in a tandem with Howard before landing on the IL.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Benjamin was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Impact He will head down to clear a spot for Dane Dunning (knee) who was activated in a corresponding move. Benjamin will likely be recalled later in the season when the Rangers need a fresh bullpen arm.

AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoins Rangers Benjamin was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Impact The left-hander has been in the minors since early July and will rejoin the big-league club ahead of Sunday's series finale in Oakland. Benjamin has an 8.10 ERA, 2.17 WHIP and 12:12 K:BB over 13.1 MLB innings this season.

AUGUST 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down Saturday Benjamin was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Impact Benjamin made just one relief appearance after he was called up by the Rangers in late June, and he allowed no hits and two walks while striking out one in a scoreless inning. The southpaw will now return to the minors after right-hander Dennis Santana was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move.

JULY 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Levi Weaver: LHP Wes Benjamin and RHP Joe Barlow have been... - The Athletic LHP Wes Benjamin and RHP Joe Barlow have been added to the active roster. RHP Demarcus Evans has been optioned to Triple-A and Rule 5 pick R...

JUNE 23, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Recalled from Triple-A The Rangers recalled Benjamin from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Impact The lefty's 12.1 innings with the Rangers this season have been far from pretty, as he's posted an 8.76 ERA and walked 10 batters. Triple-A hasn't been too much kinder to Benjamin, as he has a 6.60 ERA in 15 innings at that level. Given his struggles, Benjamin is unlikely to pitch high-leverage innings for the Rangers, but he'll serve as additional bullpen depth.

JUNE 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to minors Benjamin was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Impact Benjamin has already spent three separate stints on the Rangers' roster this season. He's struggled to an 8.76 ERA, 2.19 WHIP and 11:10 K:BB in 12.1 innings, so it's perhaps no surprise that he's failed to stick around on a permanent basis. Kyle Gibson (groin) returned from the injured list in a corresponding move.

JUNE 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled to big leagues Benjamin was recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Round Rock.

Impact The lefty figures to fill the rotation spot of Kyle Gibson (groin), who went to the injured list Tuesday. Benjamin has started three games this season, one being with the Rangers and the other two with Round Rock. His ERA is above 6.00 at both levels, but the big-league club now looks to him for innings while the innings-eating Gibson misses time.

MAY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers make moves, call up RHP Wood The Rangers called up right-handed pitcher Hunter Wood on Saturday, adding another pitching option out of the bullpen and a possible fifth s...

MAY 15, 2021 • MLB.COM

Optioned to Triple-A Benjamin was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock Saturday.

Impact The move comes a day after Benjamin suffered the loss in a short start Friday against Houston, allowing three runs in just 1.2 innings. The lefty pitched to a 7.36 ERA in 7.1 innings during this stint with the Rangers, and yields his roster spot to right-hander Hunter Wood.

MAY 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss in short outing Benjamin (0-2) allowed three runs on three hits and three walks over 1.2 innings Friday, striking out two and taking the loss against Houston.

Impact After getting through a scoreless first inning while issuing one walk, Benjamin allowed the first five batters in the second to reach base. After a one-out sacrifice fly to make it 3-0 on his 49th pitch, he was lifted from the contest. It was the first start of the season for the 27-year-old and it's unclear if he'll get another shot in the rotation anytime soon.

MAY 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted ahead of Friday's start Benjamin was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock and will start Friday at Houston.

Impact The 27-year-old was confirmed as Friday's starter earlier in the week, and he's now officially rejoined the big-league roster. Benjamin has allowed three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and six walks through 5.2 innings this season.

MAY 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Confirmed as Friday's starter Benjamin will be recalled to start Friday's game against the Astros.

Impact The Rangers said earlier in the week that Benjamin would likely make his second major-league start Friday, and he's now officially been named the starter for the game. Benjamin made three relief appearances for the major-league club earlier in the season and allowed three runs on four hits and six walks while striking out five in 5.2 innings.

MAY 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On track to start Friday Benjamin is the likely starter for Friday's game against Houston, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Benjamin tossed five scoreless frames at Triple-A on Thursday, and he appears to have impressed enough to draw the spot start in Kohei Arihara's (finger) absence. Benjamin has made three relief appearances in 2021 for Texas, surrendering three runs on four hits and six walks while fanning five over 5.2 innings.

MAY 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Possible rotation fill-in Benjamin is one option being considered to take Kohei Arihara's (finger) spot in the rotation, Sam Blum of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Arihara couldn't hide the issue with his finger any longer and faces a stint on the injured list. His absence opens up a rotation spot for Benjamin or two others -- Hyeon-Jong Yang and Kolby Allard. Benjamin, who opened the season on the MLB roster but was optioned amid wavering command, started the season-opener for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday. He picked up the win and allowed four hits and one walk while striking out eight over five scoreless innings.

MAY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to alternate camp Benjamin was optioned to the Rangers' alternate training site Saturday.

Impact Benjamin was charged with a loss and a blown save in his last two appearances and will now be cast off the major-league roster to make room for Willie Calhoun (groin) and Brock Holt (hamstring), who were activated from the 10-day injured list Saturday. Benjamin made three relief appearances for the Rangers early in the season and recorded a 4.76 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in 5.2 innings.

APRIL 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Battles control Benjamin allowed one run on four walks and struck out one in Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning win over Tampa Bay.

Impact Benjamin is known as a strike thrower, so it was surprising to seem him cede four walks in a span of five batters during the seventh inning. That wiped out a one-run lead and tagged Benjamin with a blown save. The left-hander picked up a loss and a blown save in his last two appearances, in which he's walked six over 3.1 innings.

APRIL 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss in relief Benjamin (0-1) allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one across two innings of relief, taking the loss to the Padres on Saturday.

Impact Benjamin relieved Jordan Lyles in the fifth inning and held the lead until a Trent Grisham two-run home run in the seventh inning. Benjamin's primary role seems to be the latter part of the starting tandem with Lyles, as both of his appearances came in Lyles' starts. It appears Benjamin will serve as the main multi-inning reliever when starters can't go deep in games.

APRIL 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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