Texas Rangers relief pitcher Ian Kennedy (shoulder) has been placed on the 60-day injured list with a strained right rotator cuff. The 38-year-old veteran mostly struggled this season, putting up a 7.16 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 21:7 K/BB ratio over 16 1/3 innings (16 appearances). His season is now done, even if the Rangers were to make a deep playoff run. Left-handed pitcher Jake Latz had his contract selected from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move.
Rangers Sign Ian Kennedy To Minor-League Deal Tuesday
The Texas Rangers and righty Ian Kennedy have agreed to a minor league deal on Tuesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. The 17-year veteran pitched earlier this season with Texas, making 11 appearances while posting a 7.20 ERA before the club designated him for assignment in early May. The Rangers have a solid bullpen with William Smith leading the charge, so Kennedy will certainly just be used as depth. This news has no effect on any fantasy league at the moment, and even if he's promoted later in 2023, he likely won't pitch in a high-leverage role.
The Texas Rangers designated right-hander Ian Kennedy for assignment on Thursday and recalled left-hander John King from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Kennedy is moved off the team's 40-man roster after allowing 10 runs (eight earned) on 11 hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out 13 in 10 relief innings for the Rangers this year. The 38-year-old reliever also struggled with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022 to the tune of a 5.36 ERA (5.58 FIP), 1.57 WHIP, 10 saves and 44 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings pitched. Kennedy has recorded 66 saves since 2019, but he could be nearing the end of the line after 17 years in the big leagues.
Free-agent right-hander Ian Kennedy announced in his official Instagram page on Friday that he has agreed to an undisclosed deal with the Texas Rangers. Kennedy hit the open market this offseason when the Arizona Diamondbacks declined his $4 million option for the 2023 season. The 38-year-old reliever struggled in the desert last year with a 5.36 ERA (5.58 FIP), 1.57 WHIP, 10 saves and weak 19.0 percent strikeout rate in 50 1/3 relief innings over 57 appearances out of the bullpen. The 16-year veteran was with the Rangers for 32 appearances in 2021 and pitched well with a 2.51 ERA (3.66 FIP), 1.05 WHIP and 16 saves, but it would be a surprise if he gets many save chances this year with Texas with Jose Leclerc locked in as the primary closer.
The Arizona Diamondbacks declined relief pitcher Ian Kennedy's $4 million mutual option for the 2023 season on Tuesday, making him a free agent. It's kind of a no-brainer move on Arizona's part. Kennedy did have 10 saves, but he also had a rough 5.36 ERA (5.58 FIP), a 1.57 WHIP, 44 strikeouts and 22 walks in 50 1/3 innings over his 57 appearances for the Snakes. The soon-to-be 38-year-old right-hander probably isn't going to attract a ton of interest on the open market and may have to take a minor league deal with an invite to spring training with another team if he wants to continue his MLB career in 2023.
Arizona Diamondbacks closer Ian Kennedy blew another save chance in the 6-5 loss to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night. Kennedy allowed two earned runs on two hits while walking two and striking out none in two-thirds of an inning to blow his sixth save of the season. It was also the 37-year-old right-handed veteran's second straight blown save. He hasn't been good since taking over for demoted closer Mark Melancon, so perhaps the D-backs will make another change with the regular season coming to a close soon. Overall, Kennedy has a 3.60 ERA (4.62 FIP), a 1.36 WHIP, 10 saves and 40 strikeouts in 45 relief innings for Arizona. Don't be surprised if either Joe Mantiply or Melancon get the next crack at a save opportunity.
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Ian Kennedy picked up his seventh save of the season in Monday's 3-0 win over the Pirates. Kennedy came in to close things out in the ninth with a three-run lead. He struck the first hitter out, allowed a walk, and then got the final two hitters out on flyouts. The veteran is now in the mix for save opportunities with Mark Melancon being demoted as the team's full-time closer. Kennedy has served as a closer before in his career and has now converted seven of 10 save opportunities with a 3.13 ERA. His fantasy value, while higher now is still unknown, but he is currently rostered in just 13 percent of leagues. As such, he is worth a look in deeper roto leagues for fantasy managers in need of saves.
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Ian Kennedy picked up his fifth save of the season in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Guardians. Kennedy came in to pitch the ninth inning with a 3-run lead and struck out the side to end the game. Mark Melancon has served as the team's primary closer this season, but he pitched 1 2/3 innings in Monday's game. Kennedy has pitched better than Melancon but has had his own struggles, converting only five of eight save opportunities with a 3.15 ERA. Kennedy is worth a look in deeper roto leagues, but it seems that Melancon is still the arm to roster in fantasy for managers chasing saves at this time.
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ian Kennedy (leg) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Kennedy has been out of action since July 3 with a blood clot in his leg but he made an appearance at the rookie-level Arizona complex over the weekend, allowing three runs over one inning of work. Kennedy has a 3-4 record, 3.58 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, four saves, nine holds, and 25 strikeouts over 27 2/3 innings of work on the year. Look for him to head back to a setup role in the Arizona bullpen following the All-Star break.
Ian Kennedy Lands On Injured List With Calf Inflammation
The Arizona Diamondbacks placed relief pitcher Ian Kennedy (calf) on the 15-day injured list with right calf inflammation on Monday. Fellow right-hander Keynan Middleton was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move. Kennedy has been the team's "closer-in-waiting" this year as the next man up behind the team's primary closer, Mark Melancon. Melancon leads the team with 11 saves while Kennedy is next after him with four. This injury makes Melancon's ninth inning job all the more secure despite his 5.47 ERA and 1.56 WHIP. Kennedy hasn't pitched a ton better this year with a 3.58 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP, but he'll still be someone worth keeping on your radar once he returns as he'll likely be a Melancon injury away from taking over ninth inning duties.