The Texas Rangers are finalizing a deal with right-handed reliever Ryan Brasier, according to a report from Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com via MLB Trade Rumors, bringing the veteran back to his home state as he enters his age-38 season.

Brasier, a Texas native born in Wichita Falls who played his college ball in Weatherford, now returns to the area with an opportunity to carve out a role in a bullpen built largely on short-term veteran additions.

Brasier spent the 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs, though his year was frequently interrupted by injuries. A pair of groin issues limited him to just 26 innings, including one absence that sidelined him for nearly two months.

Durability has been the primary question mark for Brasier in recent seasons. In 2024, he appeared in 28 innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers before a right calf strain cost him significant time.

Despite the interruption, he was effective when available, turning in a 3.54 ERA alongside a 22.7% strikeout rate and another strong walk rate at 4.5%.

Taken together, Brasier’s body of work over the past three years shows a pitcher who has rebounded from a difficult 2022 campaign.

Since then, he has recorded a combined 3.48 ERA across 113 2/3 innings, pairing solid strikeout numbers with dependable control while collecting two saves and 20 holds.

Still, there are signs of age-related decline. His average four-seam fastball velocity dipped to 94 mph in 2025, down notably from the mid-95s he carried as recently as 2023, and his swinging-strike rate fell to a career-low 9.7%.

Whether Brasier can regain some lost velocity remains uncertain, but his command and ability to limit home runs have remained intact, as evidenced by a 0.63 HR/9 over the past three seasons.

He now joins a Rangers bullpen that has been assembled largely through one-year deals for veterans such as Chris Martin, Alexis Díaz, Tyler Alexander, and Jakob Junis.

Texas found success with a similar strategy in 2025, though relying heavily on short-term relief options carries inherent volatility.

Budget constraints have pushed Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young toward this approach, with the hope that younger arms can eventually stabilize the bullpen alongside these veteran stopgaps.

Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!

It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.

Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!