Rangers Get Zak Kent from Cardinals

By Nate Miller

Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

January 9, 2026

The Texas Rangers have announced that the club has acquired right-hander Zak Kent from the St. Louis Cardinals. Kent comes to Arlington via waiver claim as the Rangers hope to bolster their pitching staff. With Friday’s transaction, the Rangers have 40 players on their roster and do not need to make a corresponding move.

Fresh-Faced Righty

Zak Kent came to the Cardinals via waiver claim from the Cleveland Guardians on December 5. The Cardinals designated him for assignment on January 6. Kent made his major league debut with the Guardians in 2025. In 17 2/3 innings across 12 games, all in relief, he posted a 1–0 record with a 4.58 ERA (112 ERA-minus), 16 strikeouts, and 8 walks. Additionally, he had a 1.415 WHIP, seven scoreless appearances (58.3%), a 21.1 K%, 10.5 BB%, and 10.6 K–BB%. For reference, the AL averages in 2025 were 1.282 WHIP, 72.5 ScOtg%, 22.5 K%, 8.5 BB%, and 14.0 K–BB%. Kent excelled at keeping the ball in the ballpark, yielding a 1.3 HR%, less than half the AL average (3.2%).

Zak Kent also appeared in 34 games with the Guardians’ Triple-A Columbus affiliate last season, compiling a 2.84 ERA that paced the Clippers’ staff.

Familiar Territory

The right-hander embarks on his second stint in the Rangers organization. He spent the first four seasons of his professional career (2019, 2021-23) in the minor leagues. During his time there, Kent logged a 9–12 record. He owned a 4.07 ERA, 288 strikeouts, and a .243 opponent batting average in 68 games. Kent ranked among Rangers farmhands in that span in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5th, 3.31), innings (6th), and ground ball rate (6th, 45.4%). A native of Henrico, Virginia., Kent was taken by the Rangers in the ninth round of the 2019 Draft from the Virginia Military Institute.

Struggle to Stay Healthy

Zak Kent, struggling to stay on the field, moved to a relief role in 2025. He had a right elbow strain in 2024, causing a long IL stint, and an oblique injury in 2023 that limited his starts. These forced him onto two separate rehab assignments and affected his time with the Rangers and Guardians.

These injuries frequently interrupted his development and appearances at the Triple-A level. This affected his progression toward the majors and led to roster moves as teams managed his health and availability.