Surprise, March 24: Texas Rangers’ Rule 5 selection, Carter Baumler, recently learned about his Opening Day roster spot during an unusual mound visit.
With two outs in the fifth inning on Monday night, manager Skip Schumaker initiated a unique Cactus League mound visit. Unlike typical on-field discussions, Schumaker approached the center of the infield at Surprise Stadium to speak with relief pitcher Carter Baumler.
Rather than focusing on game strategy, Schumaker delivered a personal message. Surrounded by infielders and catcher Danny Jansen, he quickly called for an impromptu meeting. Facing the Kansas City Royals, Baumler had just induced two ground-ball outs on only seven pitches, prompting Schumaker to act swiftly.
As he reached the mound, Schumaker informed Baumler that he had made the Opening Day roster. The news brought smiles and congratulations from teammates before they returned to their positions. Baumler capped off the inning by striking out Royals player Isaac Collins with a 96-mph four-seam fastball.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” Baumler shared with the Des Moines Register. “I thought, ‘Why is he coming out here?’ Then he told me I made the team. Pretty cool.”
Baumler has faced numerous injuries, including shoulder issues, throughout his six-year professional career. Nearly a year after being drafted 133rd overall by the Baltimore Orioles in 2020, he underwent Tommy John surgery, missing the entire following season. From 2022 to 2025, he appeared in just 49 minor-league games. However, when healthy, the hard-throwing right-hander demonstrated his effectiveness, achieving a 7-1 record with a 3.05 earned-run average and 104 strikeouts over 88.2 innings.
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