ARLINGTON -- Dane Dunning, the Rangers Pitcher of the Year as voted on by the local BBWAA chapter in both 2021 and 2023, has been placed on outright waivers by the club, according to sources.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post originally reported the move.

Now, any team can claim Dunning and assume his salary, though if he is not claimed on waivers, Texas can outright him to the Minors. The Rangers agreed to terms on a one-year, $2.66M deal with Dunning to avoid arbitration. A new team would have to take on that salary.

Dunning struggled to a 5.31 ERA in 95 innings in the big leagues in 2024 and was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock for the first time in his Rangers tenure.

He came into Spring Training with a renewed confidence after changing his eating and sleeping routines, but he ultimately allowed 10 runs in 11 innings in Cactus League play.

The Rangers have three non-roster invite pitchers -- Patrick Murphy, Adrian Houser and Caleb Boushley -- still in competition for roster spots as they play the final exhibition games at Globe Life Field on Monday and Tuesday. With the 40-man roster full, Texas will need a spot for at least one of them.

With three days left until Opening Day, the Rangers still have two bullpen spots open, one of which Dunning was in competition for as a long reliever. That role will likely go to one of Murphy, Houser or Boushley, with rookies Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker most likely filling out the rotation.

Dunning has been with the Rangers since 2021, when they acquired him in a trade that sent Lance Lynn to the White Sox. He was a key member of the 2023 squad that won the World Series as he filled multiple roles on the pitching staff.