Texas Rangers add Spencer Patton on minor league deal

Just a day after bringing back Delino DeShields, the Texas Rangers are bringing back another familiar face after spending four seasons in the NPB.

The Texas Rangers continue to add depth as spring training gets closer.

This time, it’s right-hander Spencer Patton.

The Texas Rangers reunite with a familiar face.

This will be the second go-around in a Rangers uniform for Patton, who played with the team in 2014 and 2015.

He burst onto the scene in Arlington in 2014 as a September call-up, pitching to a sparkling 0.96 ERA over nine games and 9.1 innings pitched that year.

Patton was shipped to the Cubs in 2016 after two seasons with Texas, and that was his last taste of the majors before going over to Japan.

Over his three major league seasons, Patton pitched to a 6.26 ERA. Patton also struck out 23.7% of the hitters he faced, while walking 11.4 over the course of 54.2 innings pitched in the big leagues.

Though he struggled for the most part at the game’s highest level, Patton excelled in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.

Patton worked on further developing his changeup in Japan, and it paid dividends in the long run.

In four seasons with the Yokohama BayStars, Patton had a 3.68 ERA over 205.2 innings pitched. He also led the league in appearances with 57 in 2020.

The 32-year old drew interest from several Major League clubs, as well as NPB teams, before settling with the Texas Rangers.

Patton will have a shot at making the team’s Opening Day roster, and could find greater success after his few seasons in Japan.

Much like Colby Lewis, Tony Barnette and Chris Martin did, Patton could have another few successful big league seasons left in the tank if he cracks the Opening Day roster.

It should be noted that the Rangers bullpen is stocked with many talented young arms, so the path for the 32-year-old to make the Opening Day roster will undoubtedly be steep.

Still, this could prove to be a solid depth signing for the team as Spring Training approaches.