Rangers relievers Carter Baumler and Robert Garcia begin rehab stints with Round Rock

The Texas Rangers moved two bullpen arms closer to returning to the major-league roster by starting rehab assignments with Round Rock, the club announced Sunday. Carter Baumler is set to begin his rehab assignment with Round Rock on that day, and Robert Garcia will follow later this coming week, according to Evan Grant’s report.

Rehab assignments are a standard pathway for pitchers working back from physical setbacks, or for players whose timing and workload need to be reset before rejoining the Rangers’ active bullpen. Rather than using a controlled bullpen program, teams typically ease relievers into game conditions in minor-league matchups so they can face live batters and manage pitch counts in a structured way.

Baumler’s start with Round Rock gives Texas another data point on his readiness, since his return timeline will largely depend on how his outing(s) go during the assignment. Factors usually include how his velocity and command look from appearance to appearance, how he handles multiple days between outings if necessary, and whether he can finish the stint without setbacks that would extend the schedule.

Garcia’s rehab assignment coming later this week provides a second potential boost for a Rangers relief group that benefits from having options available around the late innings. Even when a pitcher is medically cleared, teams often prefer to confirm that the specific mechanics and workload translate cleanly in real game situations before inserting them back into high-leverage scenarios.

The practical impact for Texas is roster flexibility. If either rehab stint moves smoothly, the Rangers could use their upcoming days to decide which bullpen arms are ready to handle major-league usage demands. If both pitchers progress at the expected pace, Texas would have the option to add them in close succession, rather than forcing the bullpen to absorb innings without depth while replacements are worked in.

For Round Rock, these stints also raise the stakes of each outing. Rehab assignments can compress the number of innings available to a pitcher once the plan is underway, so each start or relief appearance has added meaning for both player development and the immediate needs of the minor-league staff. What to watch next is the spacing of outings for Baumler and Garcia, and how the Rangers communicate whether their rehab assignments continue, conclude, or are adjusted based on performance.