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Rangers DFA McCutchen, Sign Hot-Hitting Nicky Lopez

5/28/2026

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Summary

Rangers Sign Lopez

The Texas Rangers designated Andrew McCutchen for assignment and signed Nicky Lopez to a one-year deal on May 27, 2026.
McCutchen posted a .192/.277/.260 slash line, one homer, two doubles and five RBI in 83 plate appearances.
Lopez, who hit .333 in 15 Triple-A games after Cubs released him on May 23, 2026, will bat ninth at second base, joining middle-infielder Ezequiel Duran while Corey Seager is on injured list with back inflammation.

Summary

McCutchen Designated

The Texas Rangers designated Andrew McCutchen for assignment, making the 18-year veteran a free agent.
McCutchen ranks third among active players in hits (2,280), fourth in doubles (453), second in walks (1,192) and leads with 8,423 at-bats, supporting his borderline Hall of Fame candidacy.
In 2025 he hit .239/.333/.367 for Pittsburgh, finishing with 2,299 games, 333 homers, 1,157 RBI and 220 steals.

History

Historical Context

The December 1975 Seitz decision, authored by arbitrator Peter Seitz, struck down baseball’s reserve clause—first adopted in 1879—granting free-agency rights to players after a single season without a contract. That shift let teams such as the Texas Rangers later reshuffle veteran rosters, exemplified by recent moves involving Andrew McCutchen, echoing the era-changing labor breakthrough.

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Rangers Sign Lopez

The Texas Rangers designated Andrew McCutchen for assignment and signed Nicky Lopez to a one-year deal on May 27, 2026.
McCutchen posted a .192/.277/.260 slash line, one homer, two doubles and five RBI in 83 plate appearances.
Lopez, who hit .333 in 15 Triple-A games after Cubs released him on May 23, 2026, will bat ninth at second base, joining middle-infielder Ezequiel Duran while Corey Seager is on injured list with back inflammation.

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