The Texas Rangers appear to be on the verge of strengthening their bullpen as the start of the Major League Baseball season approaches. With opening day less than two weeks away, the organization is continuing to look for ways to improve its roster, and one of those potential moves involves bringing in a veteran left-handed reliever. The Rangers are reportedly close to finalizing a major league contract with experienced pitcher Jalen Beeks, a move that could provide much-needed balance to the team’s relief corps.
According to a report from Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, Texas has reached an agreement with the former Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander on a major league deal. However, the contract will not become official until Beeks successfully completes a physical examination. As of now, the Rangers have not formally announced the signing, and Beeks’ transaction history on MLB.com has yet to reflect the reported agreement. Despite that, the expectation is that the deal will move forward if the medical review does not uncover any issues.
If the contract becomes official, Beeks would immediately give the Rangers an additional left-handed option in their bullpen. This could be particularly important depending on how the final spot in the starting rotation is decided. Currently, Jacob Latz is competing for the fifth starter’s role. If Latz ultimately wins that job and remains in the rotation, the Rangers’ bullpen would otherwise lack a natural left-handed presence on the roster. Adding Beeks would therefore address a significant roster imbalance and provide manager Skip Schumaker with more flexibility when matching up against opposing hitters during games.
Last season, Latz proved to be the Rangers’ most effective left-handed reliever when he was used in that role. His performance showed the value of having a dependable left-handed pitcher available in late-inning situations. However, if he secures the rotation spot this year, the bullpen would again be short on left-handed arms unless another move is made. The possible signing of Beeks would help ensure the Rangers do not enter the season with that limitation.
In addition to strengthening the bullpen, bringing Beeks into the organization would require the Rangers to make a roster adjustment. Since the contract is reportedly a major league deal, Beeks would need to be placed on the team’s 40-man roster. That means the club would have to create space for him. One possible way to do this would be moving an injured player to the 60-day injured list. Pitcher Cody Bradford, who is currently dealing with an injury, could be a candidate for such a move, which would free up a roster spot for Beeks.
At the moment, the Rangers’ 40-man roster does not include any left-handed relievers in the bullpen. That lack of balance could create tactical challenges for the coaching staff during games, particularly when facing lineups stacked with strong left-handed hitters. In modern baseball, bullpen matchups are a critical strategic component, and teams often rely on specialists who can neutralize certain types of hitters. Without a left-handed reliever available, Schumaker might find himself limited in his options during key moments of a game.
This situation could change depending on how the competition for the final rotation slot unfolds. Kumar Rocker, another candidate for the starting job, could potentially beat out Latz during the final stages of spring training. If Rocker were to win the position, Latz would likely shift back to the bullpen, giving the Rangers at least one left-handed relief option. Still, even in that scenario, he would be the only lefty available, which might not provide enough depth over the course of a long season. Adding Beeks would therefore give the team additional security and more strategic flexibility.
Beeks brings a considerable amount of major league experience to the table. Over the years, he has built a reputation as a reliable relief pitcher capable of handling multiple innings when necessary. Originally drafted in the 12th round of the MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox, Beeks made his major league debut in 2018 with Boston. His early career included both starting and relief appearances, giving him versatility that many teams value in a pitcher.
Following his time with the Red Sox, Beeks continued his career with several different organizations. He has pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and most recently the Arizona Diamondbacks. That journey across multiple teams has allowed him to gain experience in different pitching roles and in a variety of competitive environments.
Throughout his career in the majors, Beeks has compiled a record of 28 wins and 18 losses while maintaining a 4.31 earned run average (ERA). Over the course of 263 appearances — including 21 starts — he has thrown a total of 405 innings. During that time, he has struck out 376 batters while issuing 158 walks. These numbers illustrate a pitcher who can generate strikeouts while maintaining reasonable control on the mound.
Beeks has also contributed in high-leverage situations during his career. He has recorded 34 holds and converted 16 saves out of 32 opportunities. Those statistics suggest that he has been trusted in late-inning scenarios and has the experience necessary to handle pressure situations when games are on the line. Such experience could prove valuable for a Rangers team hoping to remain competitive throughout the season.
During the 2024 season, Beeks pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks and delivered a solid performance out of their bullpen. He appeared in 61 games, finishing the year with a 5-3 record and a 3.77 ERA. That ERA marked a respectable figure for a reliever working regularly throughout the season. In those appearances, he also set a career high with 14 holds, demonstrating his ability to perform effectively in setup roles ahead of the closer.
Over the course of the season with Arizona, Beeks pitched 57.1 innings. In that time, he struck out 47 batters while issuing 20 walks. These numbers reflect a pitcher capable of limiting damage and keeping opposing hitters from consistently making strong contact. His performance helped stabilize the Diamondbacks’ bullpen during several stretches of the season.
The primary concern for the Rangers, however, is whether Beeks will have enough time to fully prepare for the season if the deal is finalized soon. With opening day approaching rapidly, players who sign late in spring training often face the challenge of quickly ramping up their workload to reach game-ready condition. Beeks would likely need to complete a series of workouts and possibly a few appearances in minor league or simulated games to build up his stamina before joining the active roster.
Despite that uncertainty, the Rangers appear to believe that Beeks could still become a valuable addition to their pitching staff. His experience and left-handed pitching ability make him an appealing option for a team seeking bullpen depth as it prepares for the long MLB season.
Currently, the Rangers have several pitchers under consideration for bullpen roles. On the 40-man roster, the team has relief options that include Robert Garcia, Tyler Alexander, Alexis DÃaz, Jakob Junis, Chris Martin, Cole Winn, Luis Curvelo, and Carter Baumler. Each of these pitchers brings different strengths, and the final configuration of the bullpen will depend on their performances during the remainder of spring training.
One interesting case among those pitchers is Carter Baumler. He joined the Rangers organization through the Rule 5 Draft, which comes with specific roster requirements. Players selected in the Rule 5 Draft must remain on the major league roster for the entire season or be offered back to their original team. As a result, Baumler must make the Rangers’ opening day roster in order to stay with the organization. If he does not secure a spot, the team would be required to waive him and potentially return him to his previous club.
In addition to the pitchers already on the 40-man roster, the Rangers are also evaluating several non-roster invitees who are currently participating in spring training camp. These pitchers are not guaranteed a spot on the major league roster but could earn one with strong performances during camp. Among those still competing are Ryan Brasier, Gavin Collyer, Peyton Gray, Josh Sborz, and Trey Supak.
Another pitcher present in camp is Cal Quantrill, although he is temporarily away from the Rangers. Quantrill is currently representing Team Canada in international competition. Canada advanced beyond pool play in the World Baseball Classic, reaching the tournament’s quarterfinals for the first time in the nation’s history. As a result, Quantrill has remained with the Canadian team during that stage of the tournament before returning to Rangers camp.
Because of these various factors, the Rangers’ bullpen situation remains somewhat fluid as spring training progresses. While the team has several pitchers competing for roles, the final decisions have not yet been set. Injuries, performance during exhibition games, and roster logistics will all influence the final group that takes the field on opening day.
If the signing of Jalen Beeks becomes official, he would immediately become part of that competitive mix. His veteran experience and left-handed pitching ability could make him a strong candidate for a bullpen role, especially given the team’s current shortage of left-handed relievers. At the same time, the Rangers’ front office will need to evaluate how he fits within the broader pitching staff and determine the best way to structure the bullpen.
As the start of the season draws closer, every roster move becomes increasingly significant. Teams must balance immediate needs with long-term planning, all while ensuring that their players are physically ready for the demands of the regular season. For the Rangers, adding a proven veteran like Beeks could help strengthen an area that currently lacks depth.
Ultimately, the final outcome will depend on whether Beeks completes his physical examination and whether the team decides to move forward with the agreement. If everything goes smoothly, the Rangers may soon have another experienced arm available to help stabilize their bullpen as they begin the upcoming season.
