Texas Rangers take a low-risk flier by signing veteran lefty Marco Gonzales on a minor-league deal.
The Texas Rangers have added veteran left-hander Marco Gonzales on a minor league contract, according to a report from Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Gonzales became available after being released by the San Diego Padres last week and is expected to join Triple-A Round Rock as he continues his comeback effort.
At 34 years old, Gonzales is attempting to work his way back after a lengthy absence from major-league action. The veteran underwent flexor tendon surgery late in the 2024 season and did not pitch during the entire 2025 campaign.
He signed with San Diego on a minor-league deal before the 2026 season but struggled to find consistency in Triple-A.
Challenging Results in Triple-A
Across 13 appearances with Triple-A El Paso, Gonzales posted a 7.99 ERA over 47.1 innings. While those numbers are difficult to ignore, they may not tell the full story.
Pitching in the offense-friendly Pacific Coast League can inflate statistics, and Gonzales also dealt with some unfavorable luck. Opposing hitters recorded an unusually high batting average on balls put in play, while a low strand rate contributed to additional runs crossing the plate.
His command remained respectable as evidenced by a solid walk rate. Though his declining strikeout numbers suggest he still has work to do before returning to major-league form.
Despite the rough results, Texas appears willing to see if the veteran can rediscover some of the effectiveness that made him a reliable starter for much of his career.
Rotation Depth Becomes a Priority
The move comes at a time when the Rangers are searching for additional starting pitching options. Right-hander Jack Leiter recently landed on the injured list, creating another vacancy in a rotation that is already relying heavily on its remaining healthy arms.
Texas still features a front group led by Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore, and Kumar Rocker, but the club's depth behind them has been tested. Several internal candidates have struggled at Triple-A, while others have been working in shorter relief roles rather than traditional starts.
Given those circumstances, Gonzales represents a sensible depth addition. There is little financial risk attached to a minor-league contract, and his extensive major-league experience could make him a useful option if Texas needs a spot starter or innings-eater later in the season.
Veteran Looking for Another Opportunity
Over parts of 11 major-league seasons, Gonzales compiled a 4.16 ERA across more than 900 innings. While his recent performance raises questions, the Rangers are betting that a healthier and more settled Gonzales could still provide value as the season progresses.
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