Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers today announced the following transactions:
- Infielder/outfielder Michael Helman acquired from Pittsburgh via waiver claim and optioned to Round Rock (AAA).
- Infielder Jonathan Ornelas designated for assignment.
Helman, 28, has batted .185 (12-65) with one home run, 4 doubles, and 5 RBI over 18 games in 2025 with Memphis (AAA) of the St. Louis organization, last appearing on May 11 at Charlotte (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI). The right-handed batter and thrower has made defensive starts this season in centerfield (6), rightfield (4), shortstop (4), second base (3), as well as one start at designated hitter. 2025 marks Helman’s first professional campaign outside of the Minnesota organization, as he was traded by the Twins to St. Louis on February 6 in exchange for cash. He was then acquired via waiver claim by Pittsburgh from St. Louis on May 14, optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis (PIT) on May 15, and designated for assignment by the Pirates on May 16.
The Lincoln, Neb. native made his Major League debut over 9 games with Minnesota in 2024, going 3-for-10 (.300) with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored – his only MLB action to date. A former 11th-round pick by the Twins in the 2018 MLB Draft from Texas A&M University, Helman has slashed .257/.330/.434/.764 (471-1832) with 68 home runs, 12 triples, 96 doubles, and 256 RBI over parts of 7 minor league seasons in the Minnesota (2018-24) and St. Louis (2025) organizations, seeing the bulk of his defensive action at second base (169 games/164 starts) and centerfield (98 games/95 starts) but making at least 20 starts at every position besides pitcher and catcher.
Ornelas, who turns 25 on May 26, has gone 0-for-5 with one walk in 4 games/one start (at shortstop) for Texas this season. The infielder has spent the balance of the campaign with Triple-A Round Rock, batting .204 (20-98) with 3 doubles and 7 RBI in 30 games. A native of Glendale, Ariz., Ornelas is in his 7th professional season (all with the Rangers org.) after he was selected by Texas in the 3rd round of the 2018 MLB Draft from Raymond S. Kellis H.S.
With today’s transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the club’s Major League roster, along with three players (Cody Bradford, Jon Gray, Josh Sborz) on the 60-day Injured List.
– RANGERS –