A day after infielder Josh Smith won his first Silver Slugger, the Texas Rangers announced the signing of Luis Curvelo. The club agreed to terms with the 24-year-old right-hander on a major-league contract on Wednesday afternoon. The develpment was first reported by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. Financial details and the length of the deal are unknown at this point. This signing comes as a bit of a surprise considering that Curvelo has not pitched beyond the Double-A level. The Rangers, however, seem willing to make the gamble. They need help in their bullpen now that David Robertson, Kirby Yates, and Jose Leclerc are all expected to elect free agency.
Down on the Farm
Luis Curvelo pitched in the Seattle Mariners‘ system in 2024 and went 4–0 with a 2.57 ERA. He posted a 0.855 WHIP, 78 strikeouts, and only 18 walks in 66 2/3 relief innings over 49 appearances for the Double-A Arkansas Travelers.
Curvelo will be competing for a spot in the Opening Day roster at spring training in 2025. He could end up being a high-leverage reliever for the Rangers.
The team is hoping that he can keep the momentum going that he established on the farm last season. In his six seasons in the minor leagues, Curvelo has a 3.51 ERA, 1.127 WHIP and a 334:92 K:BB in 294 2/3 innings pitched.
The Mariners, with a full 40-man roster, were not willing to keep Curvelo on it. This made him eligible for minor-league free agency. The Rangers signed him by giving him a major-league contract and placing him on the 40-man roster, which had multiple openings due to free agency. He was viewed by the Rangers as a potential low-investment, high-reward pitcher and was among the most popular names discussed at the GM meetings.
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The fact that he was available and affordable made him a very attractive sign for the Rangers. With the addition of Curvelo, their 40-man roster now has 37 players.
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