Rangers sign former 200-strikeout pitcher
The defending champions continue to sharpen their swords.
The Texas Rangers announced on Thursday that they have signed veteran right-hander Tyler Mahle in free agency. Mahle is getting a two-year deal from the team.
The 29-year-old spent last year with the Minnesota Twins but made just five starts before Tommy John surgery ended his 2023 campaign in May. Prior to his stint with the Twins, Mahle was a standout for the Cincinnati Reds, striking out 210 batters during the 2021 season.
Mahle likely won’t be ready to pitch until the middle part of next season. But he will give the Rangers another depth piece in their rotation with Jordan Montgomery currently a free agent and Jacob deGrom recovering from a Tommy John procedure of his own. Texas also did some work to upgrade their bullpen in recent days.
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Rangers sign pitcher Tyler Mahle, who will miss the start of 2024 coming off Tommy John surgery
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – The Texas Rangers agreed Thursday to a $22 million, two-year contract with the right-hander Tyler Mahle, who likely will miss the start of the season following Tommy John elbow surgery.
Mahle had the operation on May 22 with Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister, a procedure that usually requires a recovery of 12 to 18 months.
The 29-year-old Mahle was 1-2 with a 3.16 ERA in five starts for the Minnesota Twins last season. He has salaries of $5.5 million in 2024 and $16.5 million in 2025, and he can earn additional performance bonuses.
Mahle spent parts of two injury-shortened seasons with Minnesota after he was acquired in a trade with Cincinnati in August 2022.
Since 2020, Mahle is 22-18 with a 3.90 ERA and 424 strikeouts in 374 innings, with 70 starts in 71 appearances. He missed the end of 2022 with right shoulder inflammation.
Mahle is 33-41 with a 4.30 ERA in 123 career appearances, with 122 starts, over seven seasons. The Reds drafted him in the seventh round out of high school in 2013.
