Going into the start of the 2016 season, the Rangers had decided on going with an extra reliever. With a four-man starting rotation and eight in the bullpen, Texas started the season with a three-man bench. A.J. Griffin was assigned to Minor League camp and started the year with Round Rock, but he was called up not long after the season got underway.
Stubbs was not an option for the Rangers team regardless of other roster decisions.