Rangers Designate Dom Hamel For Assignment: DFA Explained

This article takes a look at the Texas Rangers’ decision to designate right-handed pitcher Dom Hamel for assignment after signing veteran Jakob Junis.

Let’s break down Hamel’s winding journey through several organizations, his brief major-league experience, his Triple-A numbers, and what the next week might mean for his future.

Rangers Shuffle Roster After Jakob Junis Signing

The Texas Rangers made a pretty expected move by designating Dom Hamel for assignment to make room for newly signed right-hander Jakob Junis.

Junis brings experience to the pitching staff, but Hamel’s DFA just shows how quickly fringe arms can get pushed off a 40-man roster—even for a team that’s always looking for pitching depth.

Hamel, who turns 27 in March, never actually pitched for Texas at the major-league level. They claimed him off waivers from the Mets late last September, but his time with the Rangers was basically just a name on a list.

Still, his professional journey over the past year has been anything but boring.

A Whirlwind Tour of Waivers

Hamel’s recent path really feels like a crash course in modern roster churn. He made his big-league debut with the Mets, but it was over almost as soon as it started.

That single outing is still the entirety of Hamel’s MLB résumé. It’s a reminder of just how thin the margins are for pitchers at the back end of rosters.

Triple-A Performance Tells a More Complete Story

His major-league sample size is tiny, but Hamel handled a heavy workload in Triple-A during the 2025 season.

He used to be a traditional starter in the Mets’ system, but shifted mostly into a multi-inning relief role.

Across 31 appearances—including 11 opener-type starts—Hamel threw 67 2/3 innings.

His surface numbers didn’t impress, with a 5.32 ERA, but there’s more to the story. Teams keep taking chances on him for a reason.

Strikeouts and Control vs. the Long Ball

Despite the high ERA, Hamel flashed some traits front offices like to see in depth arms.

The big problem? He gave up too many home runs. Hamel allowed 12 home runs in those 67 2/3 innings, which really did a number on his ERA.

In today’s game, where power rules, that flaw can overshadow everything else.

What’s Next for Dom Hamel?

Now that the Rangers have designated Hamel for assignment, they’ve got seven days to figure out what comes next.

They can try to trade him, but let’s be honest—any return would probably be minimal since he hasn’t shown much in the majors yet.

If Hamel clears waivers, Texas could keep him in the organization. That wouldn’t be the worst outcome for either side, honestly.

Non-Roster Depth Still on the Table

Hamel has fewer than three years of MLB service time and hasn’t been outrighted before. The Rangers could keep him as non-roster depth if nobody claims him.

That would let Texas keep a strikeout-capable arm at Triple-A. He’d be ready if injuries or fatigue hit the pitching staff.

For Hamel, it’s a reminder that perseverance matters just as much as performance. His next shot might not be glamorous, but arms with his strikeout profile don’t just vanish.

 
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