Report: Rangers place Dunning on outright waivers

The Texas Rangers placed right-hander Dane Dunning on outright waivers, sources told Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Any team that claims Dunning will take on his $2.66-million salary. If Dunning goes unclaimed, Texas can outright him to the minors. He has one minor-league option and one year of arbitration eligibility remaining.

Dunning enjoyed a breakout season during the Rangers' World Series-winning 2023 campaign. He started that year in the bullpen but forced his way into the rotation with a solid performance, finishing 2023 with a 3.70 ERA and 140 strikeouts across 172 2/3 innings.

However, Dunning couldn't maintain that success, as he ended last season in the bullpen. He made 26 appearances and 15 starts in 2024 due to shoulder issues while posting a career-worst 5.31 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. He also recorded a 3.8 BB/9 rate.

Dunning's struggles continued in spring training. Although he has 14 strikeouts in camp, Dunning also put up an 8.18 ERA and allowed four home runs in 11 Cactus League innings. The emergence of top prospects Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker and Texas' signing of veteran left-hander Patrick Corbin also squeezed Dunning out of the team's rotation.

The Rangers are hoping to shed Dunning's salary to open space on the roster for veteran Adrian Houser, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Houser, who joined the team on a minor-league deal during the offseason, could assume Dunning's role as a swingman with starting experience at the back of Texas' bullpen. He owns a 3.77 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings this spring.

Texas acquired Dunning from the Chicago White Sox as part of a package for Lance Lynn in December 2020.