The Texas Rangers came into the season with their bullpen being a giant question mark. They let a number of arms walk such as Shawn Armstrong, Hoby Milner, Phil Maton, and Danny Coulombe. That left fans with uncertainity as the front office brought in a number on arms on short term deals to fill the holes.
The bullpen has stepped up with a 2.84 ERA which ranks first in the MLB. However, things have not gone exactly to plan.
Robert Garcia and Chris Martin were named co-closers in Spring Training. Garcia was tied for the lead in saves last year with nine and Martin is a veteran who has pitched high leverage innings. Things have not gone to plan as Garcia is currently on the injured list and Martin just gave up three runs in Triple A.
These turn of events have lead to relievers needing to step up. There have been a mix of veterans and young guys that have made their impact.
The Veterans
The Rangers have gotten great returns from Tyler Alexander (2.25 ERA) , Jalen Beeks (2.50 ERA) , and Jakob Junis (1.89 ERA) as some reinforcements. Alexander and Beeks have been great high leverage arms and have put out the fire whenever the team has needed. Junis has served as an option as a closer for the Rangers, but recently has shown his versatility as he was an opener for them in a bullpen game.
Even to a lesser extent Cal Quantrill has been a good addition for them. He has step up when other pitchers have gone to the injured list and has done a good job at eating innings. Besides this group, there are a number of young guys who have been difference makers for them.
The Young Guys
Out of the young guys, one of the main ones with bullpen experience has struggled mightily. Cole Winn had a great 2025 with a 1.51 ERA, this year hasn’t been as smooth with a 4.50 ERA. Winn started out the year well with 7 and 2/3 scoreless innings before he ran into trouble with two blowup outings where he allowed six runs.
Despite those struggles, he has been better lately with only one run allowed in four outings in May. The other young guys only got a chance out of the bullpen due to injuries.
Peyton Gray (0.93 ERA) and Gavin Collyer (2.79 ERA) have made the most of their chances. Collyer earned his call up first and dominated with a scoreless streak over 9 and 1/3 innings. He ran into trouble in his latest start where he allowed three runs without recording an out when he lost control of the strike zone, walking three.
Gray has also been impressive with just one run allowed in 9 and 2/3 innings. His highlight came on May 11 when the Rangers went with a bullpen game. In that appearance he fired 2 and 2/3 innings of scoreless ball while striking out a pair. Although, all of the pitchers mentioned have all been impressive in their own ways, none of them are the best reliever that the Rangers have.
The Closer
Jacob Latz has been amazing for the Rangers out of the pen and has grabbed the closer job by the horns. He was competing for the last spot in the rotation against Kumar Rocker and lost. That brought him into the bullpen and the role that he has claimed. If a starter went down for the Rangers, I don’t think that they move Latz out of his role. He has been that important.
In 21 and 2/3 innings, he has a 0.83 ERA with five saves which is a career high. It was become more obvious that he is the guy for them in the closer spot as he has locked down three saves throughout the start of May.
The Last Word
The bullpen has been great for the Rangers this year with multiple guys stepping up especially Latz who has transitioned into the closer role well. The additions made in free agency have paid dividends, and the young and unproven guys have done enough. It is likely that the bullpen will regress back to normal, but they could still be a good unit.
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