Rangers Promote Robby Ahlstrom, Recall Cody Freeman Ahead of Cardinals Series

The Rangers selected left-handed pitcher Robby Ahlstrom’s contract and recalled infielder Cody Freeman and right-hander Luis Curvelo from Triple-A Round Rock before the series opener at Busch Stadium. Outfielder Sam Haggerty was placed on the bereavement list; Chris Martin entered the 15-day IL with a shoulder impingement; Robert Garcia moved to the 60-day IL for rotator-cuff inflammation. Gavin Collyer was optioned to Round Rock.

ESPN

Robby Ahlstrom, 26, a Placerville, Calif. native, was a 2021 seventh-round Yankees pick and joined Texas in the April 2, 2022 trade that sent catcher José Trevino to New York. He has five minor-league seasons with a 14-18 record, 17 saves and a 3.70 ERA. Cody Freeman, 25, a 2019 fourth-round pick, missed the first 55 games with a lumbar stress reaction, completed a nine-game rehab and returned to the majors, hitting .228 with three homers and 15 RBI in 2025.

Press release: Rangers Select LHP Robby Ahlstrom And Recall Cody Freeman From Triple-A Round Rock

Ahlstrom posted a 1-2 record, two saves, a 2.76 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP and a .185 opponent batting average in 21 Triple-A games, striking out 33 in 29 1/3 IP (10.13 K/9). Freeman’s 2025 MLB line was .228/.600 OPS with three homers and 15 RBI; in Triple-A he hit .336/.382/.549/.931 with 19 homers, 71 RBI and 75 runs in 97 games.

Press release: Rangers Select LHP Robby Ahlstrom And Recall Cody Freeman From Triple-A Round Rock

Manager Skip Schumaker said the promotion “provides a really good at-bat off the bench” and that Ahlstrom “adds flexibility out of the bullpen and a short-term weapon against a Cardinals lineup that featured six left-handed hitters.” The club’s press release highlighted Ahlstrom’s Triple-A performance and Freeman’s readiness after rehab.

Rangers recall Cody Freeman, select Robby Ahlstrom's contract

One source records three Cactus League appearances for Ahlstrom, while another says he missed all spring games due to injury. A separate discrepancy concerns his debut: a report notes he did not pitch in the Monday-night 2-1 win, whereas another describes his debut as pending in his first major-league appearance. No MLB performance data exist for Ahlstrom.

Press release: Rangers Select LHP Robby Ahlstrom And Recall Cody Freeman From Triple-A Round Rock

The moves give Texas a left-handed reliever for a Cardinals lineup heavy with south-paws and restore bench depth with Freeman’s left-handed bat. Shifting injured players to the 60-day list preserves a 40-man roster and flexibility for the rest of the season.

Rangers recall Cody Freeman, select Robby Ahlstrom's contract

• “Obviously provides a really good at-bat off the bench, really ‘grindy’ at-bat. It’s not easy to pinch-hit. I think he’s going to be good at it.” — Skip Schumaker, Rangers Manager

Rangers recall Cody Freeman, select Robby Ahlstrom's contract

• “Learned a lot about patience and trust, and it was a long process,” — Cody Freeman, Infielder, Texas Rangers

Rangers recall Cody Freeman, select Robby Ahlstrom's contract

• “It’s been a lifelong dream,” — Robby Ahlstrom, Pitcher, Texas Rangers

Rangers recall Cody Freeman, select Robby Ahlstrom's contract