The Texas Rangers on Monday announced that the club has received first baseman Tommy Joseph from the Philadelphia Phillies in a waiver claim. To make room on the 40-man roster for Joseph, the team has placed right-handed pitcher Clayton Blackburn on the 60-day disabled list with a right elbow strain.
Joseph, 26, batted .429 (9-21) with 3 doubles and an RBI in 11 Grapefruit League games for Philadelphia this spring before he was designated for assignment on March 12 when the club formally signed right-handed pitcher Jake Arrieta. The first baseman has posted consecutive seasons with more than 20 home runs in 2016-17 for the Phillies.