The Texas Rangers have officially decided to shut down pitchers Jon Gray and Tyler Mahle for the rest of the 2024 season due to their injuries.
Jon Gray, who’s been with the Rangers for a few years, is dealing with a foot injury, while Mahle has shoulder problems following Tommy John surgery.
With the Rangers no longer in the playoff race, there’s no rush to bring them back this season.
However, this raises big questions about the team’s pitching depth for next year.
- Jon Gray and Tyler Mahle are out for the rest of 2024, leaving the Texas Rangers without two key pitchers for the remainder of the season.
- The Rangers’ pitching situation for 2025 is up in the air, with many pitchers, including Gray, Mahle, and Jacob deGrom, coming off injury-heavy seasons.
- For the rest of 2024, the Rangers will rely on a mix of veterans and young pitchers to step up in place of the injured starters.
Jon Gray’s Foot Injury Ends His Season Early
Jon Gray, 32, has had a rough season with multiple injuries, and now a foot issue will officially keep him out for the rest of 2024.
Before this, he struggled on the mound, giving up 11 runs over his last two starts. He was supposed to pitch against the Angels, but the injury forced the team to make changes.
Gray’s 2024 season hasn’t gone as planned. He made 19 starts, finishing with a 5-6 record and a 4.47 ERA over 102 2/3 innings.
Unfortunately, this was cut short by multiple trips to the injured list. Since signing with the Rangers in 2021, Gray has been a steady presence, starting 72 games and posting a 4.16 ERA in 387 1/3 innings.
While his foot injury isn’t expected to affect his 2025 season, Gray’s history of injuries is something the Rangers will need to consider as they figure out their rotation for next year.
Tyler Mahle’s Short Comeback and Injury Problems
Tyler Mahle, who had Tommy John surgery in 2023, made a brief comeback in 2024 but didn’t last long.
After just three starts, Mahle was shut down again due to tightness in his shoulder. His 2024 season ends with a 0-1 record and a 4.97 ERA over 12 2/3 innings.
This puts Mahle in the same boat as Gray—out for the rest of the year. While Mahle’s future with the team is uncertain, the Rangers will need him healthy for next season as they work out their rotation plans.
What This Means for the Rangers’ 2025 Rotation
With the Rangers officially out of the playoff race, losing Gray and Mahle doesn’t hurt them much right now.
However, looking ahead to 2025, the team’s pitching situation is a bit of a mess.
Two veteran starters, Max Scherzer and Andrew Heaney, are set to become free agents after this season, and Nathan Eovaldi could join them.
Eovaldi only needs to pitch 16 more innings to unlock a $20 million player option for 2025, but there’s a good chance he will turn it down and look for a longer, more secure deal on the open market.
That leaves Jon Gray, Tyler Mahle, and Jacob deGrom as the core rotation for next year.
The problem? All three are coming off injury-filled seasons.
DeGrom is also recovering from Tommy John surgery, and while he hasn’t pitched in the big leagues this year, he’s close to finishing his rehab.
Beyond those three, the Rangers will likely look at younger pitchers like Cody Bradford, Dane Dunning, and Jack Leiter.
However, even these pitchers have had their own injury problems. Bradford missed time with a back strain, Dunning dealt with shoulder issues, and Leiter has only five big league appearances with an ERA of 11.78.
Another name to watch is Kumar Rocker, who’s also coming back from Tommy John surgery but has put up solid numbers in the minors with a 1.71 ERA in 31 2/3 innings.
He’s almost ready for the majors, but it’s hard to say how much he’ll contribute next season.
What’s Left for 2024
The Rangers will have to patch their rotation for the rest of this season.
Eovaldi, Heaney, Bradford, and Leiter will be their main starters, but with Gray now out, they may need to bring back Dane Dunning from his optional assignment.
If not, they might turn to veteran pitchers like José Ureña or Chase Anderson, who are in the bullpen but could make some starts if needed.
The Rangers aren’t playing for a playoff spot anymore, so their focus is more on keeping their players healthy and figuring out their rotation for next year.
