The Texas Rangers signed left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel to a minor league contract on Tuesday night. This report comes courtesy of Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. It is no secret that pitching has been an area of concern for the Rangers this year. Even though they’re in Seattle this week, taking on the Mariners, they’ll be going to Dallas for help. As of Tuesday evening, the Rangers are ranked 11th in the AL in both ERA (4.07), and wins (43). They’re ranked 12th in the AL in WHIP (1.31), and 11th in strikeouts (765). They’re hoping that a presence like Keuchel can give them a boost, both on the mound and in the clubhouse.
A Dallas Keuchel Resurgence?
It has not been the easiest year for Dallas Keuchel. In 2022, the 34-year old left-hander has posted a record of 2–7 in 12 games. All of those games were starts. He has an elevated ERA of 8.53 to go along with his 38 strikeouts. He has also allowed seven walks this season. Keuchel hasn’t pitched in several weeks. His most recent start for Arizona came on July 12 against the San Francisco Giants. In that outing, he allowed eight runs, including three home runs, in 2 1/3 innings. The Rangers will be the third team for Keuchel this year, as he was released by both the Chicago White Sox, and the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier in the season.
The Rangers are quite desperate for pitching, and even though he is struggling in the 2022 season, they seem willing to take a chance on Dallas Keuchel. The plan, for now, is to have Keuchel report to Triple-A Round Rock later this week. The signing of Dallas Keuchel is indicative of how some of the Rangers’ top prospects have fared this season. Cole Winn, the No. 1 pick in 2018, has struggled at Triple-A. He has a 5.93 ERA at Round Rock and allowed eight runs in 1 2/3 innings in his last outing on July 10. The Rangers have also tried Taylor Hearn and Glenn Otto, who have had similar results this year. Time will tell how this signing works out for both Dallas Keuchel and the Texas Rangers.
Other Rangers News
The Rangers have signed RHP Kumar Rocker, the team’s first round selection (third overall pick) in last week’s 2022 MLB Draft. Rocker will be formally introduced at a press conference on Thursday, August 4 at Globe Life Field.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
Players Mentioned:
Dallas Keuchel, Cole Winn, Taylor Hearn, Glenn Otto, Kumar Rocker
