Texas Rangers right-hander Cal Quantrill was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right lat strain, according to an announcement by the club. Fellow righty Winston Santos is being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to take Quantrill’s roster spot in a 40-man neutral move, as reported by the team.
Quantrill Exits After Velocity Drop Against Toronto
Quantrill started against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field but was removed after just 1 1/3 innings, according to the team’s official press release. The 31-year-old right-hander had recorded 1.1 scoreless frames before being lifted due to the lat injury. While Quantrill has averaged 93.8 mph on his four-seamer this year, he averaged just 91.7 mph during the outing, throwing his final fastball at 87.8 mph, per club data. Following a managerial visit, manager Skip Schumaker turned to lefty Jordan Montgomery, who recorded the next 11 outs, according to team reports.
Did you know? Prior to his early exit against Toronto, Cal Quantrill had posted a career-high six consecutive quality starts.
Rotation Impact and Postseason Timeline
The lat strain will keep Quantrill out of action for the upcoming Wild Card Series, though he could return during the Division Series if the Rangers advance, according to club projections. Quantrill has been effective in 2026, posting a 9-5 record with a 2.86 ERA and a 1.036 WHIP over 110 innings across 32 games and 15 starts. His recent run has been elite; he posted a 1.75 ERA over his last 11 games and 10 starts since July 28, holding the second-lowest qualified ERA in Major League Baseball during that span behind only New York-AL’s Cam Schlittler.
With Quantrill sidelined, the Rangers’ rotation for the Wild Card Series—which begins September 29th with the club currently holding a one-game edge over the Houston Astros for the AL West lead—will likely feature Jacob deGrom, MacKenzie Gore, and either Kumar Rocker or Cody Bradford, according to team analysis. Gore recently experienced back spasms, though manager Skip Schumaker described him as day-to-day rather than needing an injured list stint, as relayed by Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. Alternatively, the team could utilize relievers Montgomery or Nathan Eovaldi in a bullpen game.
Winston Santos Returns for Third Major League Stint
Winston Santos, 24, is beginning his third stint with the Rangers in 2026 after previously occupying active roster spots from June 24 to July 1 and on July 30. The Dominican Republic native made his Major League debut on July 1 at Cleveland, allowing two earned runs in two innings of relief, per club records. Across his time in the minors with Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock this year, Santos has combined for a 4-4 record and a 6.80 ERA with 103 strikeouts over 83.1 innings across 25 games and 19 starts. Since August 23, the right-hander has registered a 3.63 ERA over 17.1 innings in five games and four starts with the Express, and he will factor into the bullpen mix for the final week of the regular season, according to team reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Cal Quantrill placed on the injured list?
Cal Quantrill was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain after exiting his start against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning, according to the team.
When is Cal Quantrill eligible to return?
Quantrill is not eligible to return during the regular season, but he could potentially return during the Division Series if the Rangers advance, according to club projections.
Who is replacing Cal Quantrill on the active roster?
Right-hander Winston Santos was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to take Quantrill’s roster spot, in a move that leaves the Rangers at the 40-man limit.
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