Royals Claim Former Rangers Outfielder

The Texas Rangers lost outfielder Bubba Thompson on waivers on Sunday, as the Kansas City Royals picked him up for their 40-man roster.

The Royals optioned Thompson to Triple-A Omaha.

Oddly, he’s the fourth former Texas player to join the Royals this season. The Rangers dealt pitcher Cole Ragans, along with a minor leaguer, to the Royals in June for reliever Aroldis Chapman.

The Royals also picked up pitcher Joe Barlow via waivers last week and traded for pitcher Taylor Hearn, whom the Rangers traded to the Atlanta Braves last month.

The Rangers designated Thompson for assignment to make room for outfielder J.P. Martinez, whom they activated before the start of the San Francisco Giants series.

Thus ends any chance of the Rangers sending Thompson back to Triple-A Round Rock. Had he cleared waivers, the Rangers could have kept him.

Thompson had batted .170 (9-for-53) with four RBI in 37 games (14 starts) with the Rangers, spanning two stints with Texas this season – Opening Day-June 2 and July 28-August 1. He spent the remainder of the season with Round Rock.

The Rangers called Thompson up last August and gave him consistent playing time the final two months of the season. In 92 career MLB games he slashed .242/.286/.305/.591 with nine doubles, a triple, a home run and four RBI. He also stole 22 bases.

Thompson was the Rangers’ first-round pick in 2017 out of McGill-Toolen Catholic in Mobile, Ala.