With just a few weeks left in camp, the Rangers signed one reliever and DFAed another.

Left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks signed a one-year deal with Texas to join their evolving, closer-less bullpen. The seven-year veteran pitched for Arizona last year, getting into 61 games including two starts, pitching to a 3.77 ERA, mostly entering games in the seventh or eight innings. 

Beeks recorded on save last year, which might put at the front of the line for closers on the Rangers.

What makes Beeks valuable is he has equal success against righties and lefties, meaning he can be relied on to face any hitter in any situation.

To make room for Beeks on the 40-man roster, the Rangers DFAed closer hopeful Alexis Diaz, who just three short years ago saved 37 games for the Reds, and then the next season, 2024, saved 28. His last spring training game, he failed to get a batter out. He struggled with a 43.20 ERA which it should be noted in years past would have qualified him as the Rangers number one starter in the rotation. 

But the Rangers go into this season with the stated goal of having a championship-caliber team. Even though they don’t have a closer, which is pretty essential to that task. 

Beeks isn’t that closer. But he does make the bullpen better, and give the Rangers another reliable left-handed arm.

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Texas vs Cincinnati, 3:05