Texas Rangers Add Experienced Pitcher With 10 Years of MLB Service During Marlins Series
The Texas Rangers opened a new week of action with the first game of their series against the Miami Marlins, while also making an important move off the field. As the series got underway, the Rangers confirmed the signing of an experienced major league pitcher in an effort to strengthen their organizational depth.
Texas entered the matchup with a 37-40 record, sitting third in the American League West as it continues searching for consistency in a tightly contested division. While the club’s focus remains on improving its standing in the playoff race, it has also been active in exploring low-risk opportunities to bolster its pitching staff for the remainder of the season.
Rangers Bring in Veteran Left-Hander Marco Gonzales
The Rangers have reportedly agreed to a minor league contract with veteran left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales, a player with a decade of Major League Baseball experience. Gonzales has not appeared in a major league game since the 2024 campaign and spent the opening months of the 2026 season in the San Diego Padres organization.
The 34-year-old joined San Diego on a minor league deal earlier this year as he attempted to revive his career following a lengthy absence caused by injury. However, his performances at Triple-A have suggested that returning to the majors could prove challenging.
Gonzales made 13 appearances for Triple-A El Paso, pitching 47.1 innings while posting a 7.99 ERA. Those numbers reflect the difficulties he has faced since undergoing flexor tendon surgery late in the 2024 season, an injury that prevented him from pitching at any level throughout 2025.
The veteran is still working to regain both his command and effectiveness after the extended layoff. While his recent statistics are far from encouraging, the Rangers are taking a chance on a pitcher who has logged significant major league experience and could provide valuable depth if he manages to rediscover his previous form.
For Texas, the move represents a low-risk investment. If Gonzales performs well in the minors and shows signs of returning to full health, he could eventually earn an opportunity to contribute at the major league level later in the season.
Looking Back at Marco Gonzales’ MLB Career
Although injuries have slowed his career in recent years, Gonzales previously established himself as a dependable starting pitcher across several seasons in the majors.
The left-hander made his MLB debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014 before later spending the majority of his career with the Seattle Mariners. He also had a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates before injuries interrupted his progress.
His most productive years came in Seattle, where he became a reliable member of the Mariners’ starting rotation. Across seven seasons with the franchise, Gonzales made 148 starts, threw more than 850 innings, recorded a solid 4.08 ERA and struck out 631 batters. During that stretch, he earned a reputation for consistently taking the ball every fifth day while relying on pitch location, control and experience rather than overpowering velocity.
Over the course of his major league career, Gonzales has compiled a 4.16 ERA across 926.2 innings pitched. His most recent MLB action came during the 2024 season, when he posted a 4.54 ERA over 33.2 innings before injuries ultimately sidelined him.
While expectations should remain modest given his recent struggles, the Rangers will hope the experienced southpaw can regain enough form in the minor leagues to become a useful option as the season progresses. If Gonzales is able to stay healthy and build momentum, Texas could eventually benefit from adding another proven veteran arm to its pitching staff during the second half of the campaign.
