The Texas Rangers have claimed Boston Red Sox outfielder/first baseman Mike Carp off waivers, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. Carp was designated for assignment by Boston only two days ago. The move was made after the team had to mess around with their roster a day after their Trade Deadline frenzy.
Mike Carp recently asked the Red Sox for a trade after only seeing 103 plate appearnces with the big-league club through four months of play. Carp only slashed .198/.320/.279 with no home runs and nine runs batted in. He has also only registered a 73 wRC+, 70 OPS+ and career-low .242 BABIP.
This is all after a breakout season in 2013 in his first year in Boston. Off the bench for the World Series winners, Mike Carp hit .296/.362/.523 with nine home runs and 43 runs batted in. He also has a 140 wRC+ and career-highs in OPS+ (140) and BABIP (.385).
To create a spot on the 40-man roster for Carp, the Rangers have placed right-handed pitcher Alexi Ogando on the 60-day disabled list. A corresponding move on the 25-man roster will be made on Monday.
It is very likely that Mike Carp will serve as the starting first baseman for the Rangers for the rest of the season with both Mitch Moreland (ankle) and Prince Fielder (neck) out with season-ending injuries. When both return next season, Carp could see some time at the corner outfield positions off the bench.
Carp is under team-control until after the 2016 season, so he will be a vital component to the team if they become contenders again in the future.