The Texas Rangers are reportedly set to bolster their pitching staff with the addition of veteran right-hander Jakob Junis, who has signed a one-year, $4 million contract. This move comes as the team looks to strengthen its bullpen after a less-than-stellar performance last season. Junis, who began his career as a starter with the Kansas City Royals in 2017, transitioned to a relief pitcher in 2025 with the Cleveland Guardians, posting impressive numbers in his lone season with the team. He boasted a 4-1 record, a 2.97 ERA, 18 walks, and 55 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings over 57 games. However, his time with the Royals, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, and Guardians has been a bit more tumultuous. Junis has a career record of 46-46 with two saves, a 4.36 ERA, 216 walks, and 768 strikeouts in 847 innings over 249 games (116 starts). The Rangers' bullpen took a hit last season when they lost right-hander Phil Maton and left-hander Hoby Milner to the Chicago Cubs, both of whom were free agents. The team has since addressed this by adding lefty Tyler Alexander and right-handers Alexis Diaz, Carter Baumler, and Zak Kent, as well as re-signing righty Chris Martin to a one-year, $4 million contract. This strategic move aims to improve the team's save opportunities and overall performance, especially after their poor conversion rate of just 37 out of 66 save chances last season.
