Rangers Exploring Surprising Option for Closer

The Texas Rangers have several options for closer in 2023. With about two weeks left in Spring Training, someone will have to emerge before Opening Day.

There are plenty of candidates to choose from.

A few weeks ago, Texas signed veteran Will Smith, who closed out the Braves World Series clincher against Houston in 2021. José Leclerc, Jonathan Hernández and Joe Barlow all closed games for the Rangers last season.

"We're looking at all of our options," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said."So many cases where you have to find somebody else to help out there. These are things we are talking about right now."

Another reliever in the mix is Brock Burke. Last season, Burke struck out 90 batters in 82 innings and 52 appearances. He finished the season with a 1.97 ERA, second best to Matt Moore (1.95) on the club. However, Burke's spring has yet to reflect the success he posted last season.

"I don't think he's been at his best at times," Bochy told Inside the Rangers. "His stuff is good, but I think he raised the bar pretty high last year. That's what you look at.

"He's fine [and] his stuff is fine. That's why we're here. He's trying to get locked in, and I don't think he's quite where he's going to be, but he's close."

Burke has allowed at least one run and multiple hits in three of his last four appearances this spring, including a home run last Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds. The good news is that Burke has struck out at least one batter in all five of his appearances. This is Burke's first spring where he's ramping up to be a reliever instead of a starter.

Bochy did indicate Burke remains part of the closer/high-leverage group of relievers, but is keeping an open mind. It's not only about who the Rangers closer will be March 30, but the flexibility needed on the Opening Day roster.

Texas starters Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi start the season on pitch counts, while Jake Odorizzi will open on the injured list.

"We're going to break with our best club," Bochy said. "We're not locked in on anything right now. You have to stay open-minded, and we'd like to break with who we think our best arms are and our best options.

"You look at some of these veterans we brought in here that have a lot of experience. We're going to have some tough decisions."