Amid injuries, the Texas Rangers are working to bolster their rotation depth.
According to Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers are close to finalizing a major league deal with right-handed starter Chris Paddack. The agreement is pending completion of a physical, and while the club has an open 40-man roster spot, a corresponding move will be necessary for him to join the active roster.
Paddack, 30, is an eight-year major league veteran and a native of Austin, Texas. He began his career with the San Diego Padres in 2019, while current Rangers manager Skip Schumaker was on staff as the club’s first base coach. That season, he made 26 starts and posted a 3.33 ERA and 9.8 K/9 rate over 140.2 innings.
Since then, Paddack has been unable to replicate that success, in part because of injuries. The right-hander has undergone Tommy John surgery twice and also missed extended time with a forearm strain. Overall, he owns a 4.84 ERA in 131 career appearances (119 starts).
Paddack has already been designated for assignment twice this season. The Miami Marlins signed him to a one-year, $4 million deal in free agency but moved on in May after he produced a 7.63 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 30.2 innings. He quickly signed with the Cincinnati Reds and spent a month on their roster before being let go again. In 13 total appearances (nine starts), he has combined for a career-worst 6.96 ERA, 15.7% strikeout rate and 7.7% walk rate.
Texas is currently shorthanded because of injuries and a stretch of games that has taxed its bullpen. The club recently lost right-hander Jack Leiter to ankle surgery, and while left-handers Jordan Montgomery and Cody Bradford are working their way back from UCL surgeries, neither is an immediate option to step into the rotation.
Montgomery made his second rehab start Sunday with Double-A Frisco, tossing two perfect innings with three strikeouts on just 20 pitches. If all goes well with his progression, he could return in early August. Bradford, on the other hand, restarted his throwing program in early May following a setback in late March. He is expected to throw live BP in the coming weeks.
As the Rangers await their returns, Paddack will aim to stabilize the back end of their rotation in the midst of a tight divisional race. The club entered Monday with a 42-42 record, clinging to a half-game lead over the Seattle Mariners for first place in the American League West.
