While the Texas Rangers had a disappointing day on Sunday, what with the 4-3 loss to the Astros, two pitchers who were with the Texas Rangers recently had even worse days — both Kyle Gibson of the Baltimore Orioles and Chris Stratton of the Kansas City Royals were designated for assignment.
Gibson, who was with the Rangers from 2020 until he was traded to the Phillies at the deadline in 2021, signed a one year deal with Baltimore for 2023, and actually pitched against the Rangers in the Wild Card Series that year. He was an eater of innings for the Cards in 2024, then re-signed with Baltimore late in the spring this season to help fortify a shaky rotation.
Gibson made three tune-up starts in the minors before joining the Orioles rotation on April 29. He was immediately shelled by the Yankees, as he gave up homers to the first three batters he faced and four of the first five, helping to fuel the Torpedo Bat drama. Gibson gave up nine runs in 3.2 IP in that game, three in four innings in his second start, and five in four innings in his third start.
Gibson’s final appearance for Baltimore was on Saturday, in the team’s first game after firing manager Brandon Hyde. He didn’t make it out of the first inning, allowing six runs while facing ten batters, and ultimately getting pulled for Charlie Morton, another veteran starter who was signed to shore up the rotation and who has not, in fact, shored anything up.
Gibson’s time with Baltimore ends with him allowed 23 runs on 29 hits and seven walks in 12.1 IP over four appearances, with 7 homers and 10 Ks. He has a 16.78 ERA but, on the plus side, only a 10.55 FIP and 8.49 FIP. Assuming no one claims him and the Orioles can’t foist his contract on some other club, he will have been paid $5.25 million by the Orioles for those four appearances. At the age of 37, Gibson’s major league career may be done.
Stratton won a ring with the Texas Rangers in 2023 — as a reminder, the 2023 Texas Rangers won the World Series — after being acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals as part of the Jordan Montgomery trade. Stratton was added to a shaky Ranger pen and was okay during the regular season, though he didn’t pitch much in the postseason and wasn’t that good when he did pitch in the postseason.
The Kansas City Royals signed him to a two year, $8 million deal after 2023, and that has not worked out well. Stratton put up a 5.55 ERA and 4.62 FIP in 58 innings last year, and is currently rocking a 7.94 ERA in 17 innings this year.