ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers have reached an agreement with free agent designated hitter Joc Pederson, as per a source familiar with the matter who requested anonymity while the deal is subject to a physical examination.

This signing marks Pederson’s third team in as many years. After struggling during the 2023 season with the San Francisco Giants, Pederson rebounded in 2024, achieving a career-high batting average of .275, complemented by 23 home runs and 64 RBIs while playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The addition of Pederson may signal the Rangers’ intention to make slugging corner infielder Jake Burger the team’s primary first baseman. Burger, who also has experience as a designated hitter, was acquired from the Miami Marlins earlier this month. The signing of Pederson follows shortly after the Rangers traded Nathaniel Lowe, who held the first-base position for the last four seasons, to the Washington Nationals in exchange for left-handed reliever Robert Garcia.

Furthermore, Texas enhanced their bullpen by signing right-handed pitcher Shawn Armstrong as a free agent. In conjunction with these moves, the Rangers designated catcher Sam Huff, who was a seventh-round pick in the 2016 draft, for assignment.

Joc Pederson, 32, began his major league career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he played as an outfielder for six seasons and earned an All-Star nod as a rookie in 2015. The Rangers currently have some uncertainties within their outfield lineup.

Pederson had a rough final season with the Dodgers, who clinched the World Series at the neutral venue of the Rangers in 2020, leading him to sign with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent. His journey continued as he was traded to the Atlanta Braves during his inaugural season with the Cubs and then signed with the San Francisco Giants for the subsequent two offseasons before joining the Diamondbacks in January 2024.

Throughout his career, Pederson has hit a personal best of 36 home runs and secured 74 RBIs while with the Dodgers in 2019. Last season with Arizona saw him achieve his highest OPS of .908. The Bay Area native boasts a lifetime batting average of .241, along with 209 home runs and 549 RBIs. His second All-Star appearance came while with the Giants in 2022.

Right-handed pitcher Shawn Armstrong, 34, took the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs in the past season, finishing with a record of 3-3 and an ERA of 4.86 over 57 outings, which included seven starts. Over the course of a decade in the majors, he has compiled an 11-8 record with a career ERA of 4.15 across 299 games.