The Rangers have designated right-hander Zak Kent for assignment, replacing him with left-hander Jordan Montgomery on their 40-man roster. This move comes after Montgomery's one-year deal to return to Texas was finalized. Kent, a 27-year-old, was recently claimed off waivers, but he's no stranger to the organization, having been drafted in 2019 and pitching for them until 2023 before a trade to Cleveland. His big league debut in 2025 saw him pitch 17 2/3 innings with a 4.58 ERA, 21.1% strikeout rate, and 10.5% walk rate. Most of the season was spent in Triple-A Columbus, where he had a 2.84 ERA, 31.4% strikeout rate, and 13.2% walk rate. Kent's velocity included a 93.1 mph four-seamer, an 85.7 mph slider, and an 81.3 mph curveball. Since the end of the 2025 season, Kent has moved between the Guardians, Cardinals, and Rangers via waivers. He's now likely to be placed on waivers again, though the Rangers might also explore trade options over the next five days. Kent has exhausted his minor league option years, but he's eligible for a fourth option year, typically granted for players who miss significant minor league time due to injury or exhaust their first three options within their first five professional seasons.
