The Rangers announced Monday that they have claimed first baseman Tommy Joseph off waivers from the Phillies, and they placed right-hander Clayton Blackburn on the 60-day disabled list to clear a roster spot for Joseph.
Joseph went 9-for-21 (.429) with three doubles over 11 Grapefruit League games, but he was designated for assignment last week when the Phillies signed free-agent pitcher Jacob Arrieta. Joseph's spot on Philadelphia's roster was also in doubt once the Phils signed first baseman Carlos Santana this offseason.
Joseph represents a potential power bat for a Rangers club that leaned heavily on home runs to score last season. The 26-year-old hit 22 homers to go with a .240 average over 142 games in 2017, one year after he debuted with 21 roundtrippers over 347 plate appearances in '16.
Joseph figures to serve as an insurance option for Texas, as the Rangers have Joey Gallo stationed at first base, with Shin-Soo Choo likely to take a plurality of at-bats at the designated-hitter spot.