Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray tossed three scoreless innings in a Cactus League game on Sunday in his second spring start against the Arizona Diamondbacks and was working to stay "tall" on the mound, according to the Dallas Morning News' Shawn McFarland. Gray was focused on keeping his right leg straight when he lifted his leg in the delivery process, and it resulted in an average fastball velocity of 94.4 mph after he averaged 93.7 mph with his heater in his spring debut. The 33-year-old allowed four hits on Sunday but also struck out two in his three scoreless frames. The Rangers mentioned Gray as a potential option to pitch in the back end of the bullpen this year, but for now, he's being stretched out as a starter and should open the 2025 campaign in the rotation. RotoBaller has him ranked outside of the top-100 fantasy starting pitchers.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray has been rumored to be possibly moving to the bullpen. The rumor is that the Rangers could use Gray as a closer given his success out of the bullpen in the past. Gray has been fantastic in a small sample size out of the bullpen, but that doesn't appear to be the plan right now. Gray is open to the idea, but he said no one has approached him with the possibility of transitioning to the bullpen. That being said, Gray will continue to work as a starting pitcher until further notice. Gray posted a 4.47 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 86/28 K/BB ratio across 23 games (19 starts) with the Rangers last season. He has been a viable option in the rotation over the last three years for the Rangers. For now, fantasy managers can assume Gray will start the year in the rotation, but plans could change down the road.
Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (foot) threw his first bullpen session of spring training on Thursday. A neuroma in Gray's foot caused him to finish last year on the injured list, but by all accounts, he had a normal offseason and should be a full-go for spring training. The 33-year-old veteran appeared in 23 games (19 starts) in 2024 in his third year in Texas, going 5-6 with a 4.47 ERA (3.70 FIP), 1.31 WHIP, 86 strikeouts and 28 walks in 102 2/3 innings pitched. The Rangers lost both relief pitchers Kirby Yates, David Robertson and Jose Leclerc to free agency in the offseason, and they've mentioned Gray as a potential closing option in 2025, which would drastically affect his fantasy value. Even if Gray sticks as a starter, he should be ranked outside the top-100 fantasy starting pitchers after his strikeout rate dropped below 20% for the first time in his career.
The Texas Rangers have had internal discussions about using right-hander Jon Gray in a closing role in 2025, according to the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant. Last year's primary closer Kirby Yates signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency this offseason, and Jose Leclerc also left to join the Athletics, leaving the Rangers without an established arm to deploy in the ninth inning. Right now, Chris Martin is probably the favorite for most of the save opportunities, but Gray could be another option and has said he'd be open to the idea of becoming a reliever. The 33-year-old will remain stretched out as a starter in spring training, but don't be surprised if the Rangers move him to the bullpen if Martin struggles early on. Gray threw only 102 2/3 innings in 2024 due to groin and foot injuries, his fewest in a full season since his rookie year in 2015, so moving him to relief would also allow Texas to limit his innings.
Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (foot) will miss the rest of the 2024 season due to a neuroma in his foot. Gray was scheduled to start at Globe Life Field on Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels, but that assignment could now go to right-hander Jose Urena. The Rangers placed Gray on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. The 32-year-old veteran will finish his third year in Texas with a disappointing 5-6 record, 4.47 ERA (3.71 FIP), a 1.31 WHIP, 86 strikeouts (his fewest since the shortened 2020 season) and 28 walks in 102 2/3 innings over 23 appearances (19 starts). Fantasy managers were expecting more out of Gray ever since he left hitter-friendly Coors Field. In his three years with the Rangers, he's posted a 4.16 ERA (4.05 FIP) with a 1.24 WHIP, 362 strikeouts and 121 walks in 387 1/3 innings. Injuries got in the way in 2024.
The Texas Rangers are hoping to activate right-hander Jon Gray (groin) from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. It's unclear when Gray will make his first start off the IL, but it's possible that he could pitch out of the bullpen as early as Tuesday at Globe Life Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 32-year-old veteran has been sidelined with a strained right groin since late July and did not go on a minor-league rehab assignment, so we won't be recommending him as a fantasy streamer right away. In 20 appearances (17 starts) this year, he's gone 5-4 with a 3.73 ERA (3.34 FIP), a 1.25 WHIP and a 78:23 K:BB in 94 innings pitched. It's very possible that Gray could just be a rotation placeholder for the Ranger until one of Max Scherzer (shoulder) or Jacob deGrom (elbow) are ready to rejoin the big-league pitching staff.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray (groin) will not need to embark on a rehab assignment before returning to the big leagues according to Texas skipper Bruce Bochy. Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reported that the right-hander speculated that he might make a relief appearance before making his first start. Gray has been on the 15-day injured list since July 29 with a right groin strain. This is a great sign, as Gray seems to be recovering quite well and should be ready to take on an expected workload shortly after he returns. Prior to the injury, Gray posted a 3.72 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 23:78 BB:K ratio through 94 innings of work this season. Once the 32-year-old returns to the rotation, fantasy managers should expect Jose Urena to shift to a bullpen role.
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that right-hander Jon Gray (groin) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday. It's the first time that Gray has been able to throw off a mound since he suffered a strained right groin in late July. The 32-year-old veteran could need another bullpen session before moving to live batting practice or a minor-league rehab assignment. With the Rangers well out of playoff contention, don't expect the defending World Series champions to rush him back, so we probably won't see Gray again in the big leagues until September. Gray has disappointed fantasy managers with a weak 19.8% strikeout rate, although he has posted a career-low 5.8% walk rate in his 20 outings (17 starts). Gray will eventually return to a 5-4 record, 3.73 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 23 walks in 94 innings in 2024.
Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (groin) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday amid a flurry of roster moves, and manager Bruce Bochy said that he expects Gray to miss around a month as he recovers from a right-groin strain. Gray exited his start in Toronto on Sunday before even throwing a pitch. He initially tweaked his groin during his pre-game bullpen session but decided to pitch through it until the pain worsened. It's unclear who will take Gray's spot in the starting rotation in Texas. Until Tyler Mahle (elbow) and Jacob deGrom (elbow) become options, it could be one of Dane Dunning, Cody Bradford or Jose Urena. Gray is sporting a weak 19.8% strikeout rate in 2024 but has been solid as a backend rotation option in deep mixed fantasy leagues with a 3.73 ERA (3.34 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP in his 20 outings (17 starts) over 94 innings in his third year in Texas.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray (groin) has been placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday. This news comes a day after Gray was pulled while warming up for his start on Sunday. The organization will give Gray a few weeks off while he recovers from a right groin strain. Dane Dunning figures to take over the vacant spot in the rotation. However, it's worth noting that left-hander Cody Bradford (back) was activated off the injured list on Monday. The Rangers could go multiple ways with this so fantasy managers will need to check back for another update.
