Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker would prefer not to repeatedly rely on Jacob Latz for multi-inning saves.

Recently, however, circumstances have left the team with limited alternatives.

Latz earned the win in Thursday’s 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals, improving to 2-1 on the season. The left-hander has gradually emerged as Texas’ primary option for the ninth inning after entering Spring Training competing for the fifth starter role that ultimately went to Kumar Rocker.

Rocker has taken notice of Latz’s impact.

He praised Latz’s composure and competitiveness on the mound and strongly suggested his performance deserves consideration for next month’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia.

“The moxie that guy has on the mound is incredible, he's just incredible,” Rocker said, according to Kennedi Landry from MLB.com during the Kansas City trip.

Texas has sent relievers to the All-Star Game before.

As recently as 2024, Kirby Yates earned recognition while thriving in the closer role for the Rangers. By the All-Star break, Yates had compiled a 3-0 record with 10 saves and two holds while posting a 1.11 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 12 walks across 24.1 innings in 24 appearances.

Latz’s path has looked very different.

Originally developed as a starter, he transitioned into a long-relief role in the minors and has filled virtually every pitching assignment since making his Major League debut in 2021. Across 109 career appearances, only 10 came as starts.

Last season, injuries to Tyler Mahle and Nathan Eovaldi created opportunities for Latz to work as a swing starter, and his performance earned him legitimate consideration for a rotation spot entering spring training. Even after not winning that job, Texas intentionally kept a bullpen role available.

His first appearance this season came as a spot start against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 28 replacing Jacob deGrom after neck stiffness delayed deGrom’s season debut. Latz responded with four scoreless innings before returning to relief.

Texas first used him in a closing role on April 16 against the Athletics, and he blew the save opportunity.

Since then, his trajectory has changed significantly.

He has 11 saves, blew only one additional opportunity, and collected two wins. Before Thursday’s win against the Royals, he also recorded a save the previous night.

Because he remains stretched out, Latz provides flexibility rarely seen from traditional closers. He has worked multiple innings in six of his last 11 appearances.

After using him for a two-inning save against the Cleveland Guardians on June 5, Schumaker acknowledged that the Rangers must balance maximizing Latz’s value with protecting his health and avoiding overuse.

Latz owns a 2-1 record with a 1.62 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 11 saves in 33.1 innings over 26 games (one start), with 35 strikeouts and seven walks.

Beyond the numbers, Latz’s value comes from versatility and trust.

He has shown an unusual willingness to embrace whatever role a team needs without allowing changes in responsibility to impact preparation or mentality.

Another defining trait is resilience.

Latz’s career has required adjustment, patience, and the ability to respond to changing opportunities, and he has consistently remained prepared when chances arrived.

He also competes with visible confidence and maintains composure in situations that often become uncomfortable for relievers.

That combination of adaptability, durability, and calm under pressure helps explain why he has become increasingly important to Texas and why conversations around broader recognition continue growing.

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