The Texas Rangers have reportedly agreed to terms with right-hander Adrian Houser to a minor-league contract. News of the development was first reported by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Saturday. The agreement comes with an invitation to spring training. The club has not confirmed the deal.
2024 Struggles
Houser, 31, was acquired by the New York Mets from the Milwaukee Brewers last winter in a deal that also brought Tyrone Taylor to New York. The veteran right-hander struggled as a starter with a record of 0–4 and an 8.55 ERA in seven starts. However, he was much more effective out of the bullpen, logging a 3.28 ERA in 34 2/3 innings spread across 16 games.
While it seemed like Adrian Houser had found his groove as a long reliever, the Mets designated him for assignment and then released him in late July. The Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles each signed Houser to minor-league contracts during the season, but those deals failed to translate into any more big league playing time for him.
Ground Ball Specialist
Houser has appeared in 152 career major league games, 104 of which were starts. He delivered passable results as a swingman for the Brewers for much of his career. For most of that stretch, he kept the ball on the ground, as his career strikeout rate is only 18.5%.
Houser’s results in 2024 could somewhat close the door on his usage as a starter, even if the Rangers could see value in having a swingman around as rotation depth. Beyond last season’s splits, Houser has a 2.32 ERA in 97 career innings as a reliever, as compared to a much less impressive 4.57 ERA in 511 2/3 frames as a starter.
Help Needed
Relievers are a much more significant need for a Rangers team could lose most of its 2024 bullpen. Kirby Yates, David Robertson, Jose Leclerc, Jose Urena, and Andrew Chafin have all elected free agency. Additionally, Josh Sborz will be out until at least the start of June due to offseason shoulder surgery.
The current Rangers starting rotation of Jacob deGrom, Jon Gray, Tyler Mahle, Kumar Rocker, and Jack Leiter is full of question marks regarding injuries and inexperience. In addition to depth signings like Houser, the Rangers are also hoping to re-sign either Nathan Eovaldi or Andrew Heaney, who are both free agents as well.
More Texas Rangers Articles
More MLB Articles
This marks the second signing in less than a week for the Rangers. They also agreed to terms on a two-year contract with catcher Kyle Higashioka on December 2.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
- Category
-
Texas Rangers
