Colby Lewis is Back With Texas Rangers

Colby Lewis is back with the Texas Rangers! The Texas Rangers signed right-handed pitcher Colby Lewis to a 1-year/$4MM contract for the 2015 season.

At the end of the season the Rangers and Colby Lewis expressed the desire for Lewis to return with the club in 2015. However, with what sounded like a blessing from Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels, “Colbra” elected free agency.

"It’s the first time he’s been healthy and able to test the market, Daniels said. I think it’s an opportunity he should take advantage of.” (Calvin Watkins, ESPNDallas.com)"

It is completely understandable Lewis would want to hear other clubs’ offers. He has never been a true free agent. He missed the entire 2013 season due surgeries.

Colby Lewis had a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow repaired and began the 2013 season on the DL but was expected to return after the All-Star break. Unfortunately, Lewis was diagnosed for bone spurs in his hip and would miss the season, then in August 2013 he underwent surgery for hip resurfacing of his right hip. His return in 2014 was very much in question, but the Texas Rangers signed him to a minor league deal at the end of November.

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Colbra pitched extremely well at Spring Training, including a shutout game against the Seattle Mariners. However, the club wanted to take things slow to ensure Lewis returned to the big leagues as healthy as possible, so he pitched one game with the Round Rock Express (AAA) before joining the big league team in April.

Even though Colby Lewis finished the season with a 10-14 record and a 5.18 ERA I still consider his season a huge success, and I think most fans would agree.

Despite the fact that Lewis had to basically relearn how to pitch he tossed back-to-back complete games, August 5 at Chicago White Sox (2nd career Shutout) and August 27 at Seattle Mariners. Colby Lewis also seemed to only get stronger as the season went on.

He had no quality starts in his first 13 outings, yet he quality starts in 11 of his last 16 games. He also earned 133 strikeouts over his team-leading 29 game starts, and 170.1 innings pitched. Lewis also tied Texas Rangers’ ace Yu Darvish in wins (10) last season.

I’m happy that Colby Lewis will once again be in the Texas Rangers starting rotation. It is especially telling, at least to me, that Lewis wanted to play for the Texas Rangers again, possibly retire as a Ranger, by signing a 1-year/$4MM deal. Most players who elect free agency want to get the most amount of money regardless of who they end up playing for. Lewis was true to his word of wanting to come back with the team, and we’re lucky to have him. Welcome (back) Home Colby Lewis.

Only 122 days until your Texas Rangers play their first game of the 2015 season!