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Looking at the current roster for the Texas Rangers this offseason, most experts will tell you they still need pitching—both rotation help and bullpen help.
They took one more step in securing the bullpen by signing right-handed reliever Jakob Junis.
Junis spent 2025 with the Cleveland Guardians, where he posted a 2.97 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, and struck out 55 in 66.2 innings pitched.
While the Guardians were in a playoff race, the right-hander had an impressive 1.73 ERA over the last 30 games of the season. He threw 36.1 innings during that stretch.
Consistency
Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Junis has not had an earned run average above 4 since 2022, and in 2024 and 2025, it was below 3. According to MLB.com, Junis’ best pitch is his slider, which he tosses almost half the time. He allowed hitters to hit only .238 against it in 2025, with a swing-and-miss rate of 31.4%.
A starter at the beginning of his career in Kansas City, Junis seems to have slid into the reliever role very well. He seems to have learned to use his best pitches to get outs, which is what teams need relievers to do.
It’s no secret that the Rangers blew 29 saves in 2025. While I do not foresee him being the Rangers’ closer, he could help solidify the 7th or 8th inning before the closer comes in.
Are the Rangers Done?
As we mentioned on Sunday on the Ranger Report Podcast, the Rangers still need another starting pitcher and another bullpen arm. They have picked up some of what they need, but I don’t think CY and the front office are done.
Besides Junis, the Rangers have signed Tyler Alexander, Alexis Díaz, and Chris Martin to the pitching staff. Keep an eye out for Diaz for a possible closer role.
As Spring Training draws ever closer, I imagine the Rangers will ramp up efforts to get the team they want on the field.
* Ben Dieter is one of the hosts of The Ranger Report Podcast here on Dallas Sports Nation. You … More about The Ranger Report Tags: 2026 Spring Training AL Chris Martin Cleveland Guardians Guardians Jakob Junis MLB Rangers Spring Training Texas Rangers Tyler Alexander
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