The 2018 Texas Rangers: Where are they now?

2018 Texas Rangers Bullpen

Keone Kela was in his 4th season in Texas in 2018.  Before a trade to Pittsburgh, Kela pitched 36.2 innings in 38 relief appearances, had a record of 3-3, with a 3.44 ERA, and 24 saves.  Kela was traded to the Pirates on July 31.  Kela pitched parts of three seasons in Pittsburgh before signing as a free agent with San Diego.  Kela was granted free agency after the 2021 season and is currently a free agent.

Alex Claudio was pitching in his 5th season in Texas in 2018.  In 66 games, including one spot start, Claudio pitched 68.1 innings, had a 4-2 record, a 4.48 ERA, and one save.  Claudio was traded to Milwaukee after the 2018 season.  Claudio pitched two seasons in Milwaukee and the 2021 season for the Los Angeles Angels.   In January, Claudio signed a free agent contract to pitch the 2022 season with the New York Mets.

Jose Leclerc was in his 3rd season with the Rangers in 2018.  In 59 appearances, Leclerc pitched 57.2 innings, had a 2-3 record, a 1.56 ERA, and 12 saves.  Leclerc pitched one more season in Texas before he required Tommy John surgery in 2020.  Leclerc is expected to return to the Rangers bullpen by mid-season in 2022.

Chris Martin was in his 1st season in the Texas bullpen in 2018.  In 46 relief appearances, Martin pitched 41.2 innings, had a record of 1-5, and a 4.54 ERA.  Martin pitched half of the 2019 season with the Rangers before being traded to Atlanta for current Rangers pitcher Kolby Allard.  Martin pitched the last two seasons for Atlanta and is currently a free agent.

Jake Diekman was in his 4th season with Texas in 2018.  In 47 relief appearances, Diekman pitched 39.0 innings, had a record of 1-1, a 3.69 ERA, and two saves.  Diekman was traded to Arizona before the trade deadline at the end of July.  After leaving Texas, Diekman has pitched for three teams including the last three seasons in Oakland.  Now 35, Diekman is currently a free agent.

Jesse Chavez pitched part of the 2018 season with Texas before being traded to the Chicago Cubs.  Chavez made 30 relief appearances before the trade, finished 56.1 innings, had a record of 3-1, with a 3.51 ERA, and one save.  Chavez returned to Texas in 2019 and pitched two seasons for the Rangers.  He was granted free agency after the 2020 season and pitched for Atlanta in 2021.  At 38, Chavez is currently a free agent.

Austin Bibens-Dirkx was pitching in his 2nd season in Texas 2018.  In 13 games, including six starts, Bibens-Dirkx pitched 45.0 innings, had a record of 2-3, with a 6.20 ERA.  Bibens-Dirkx pitched parts of 2019 and 2020 with the Texas AAA team in Nashville before pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers AAA team in Oklahoma City in 2021.  He is a current member of Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League.

Tony Barnette was in his 3rd season in Texas in 2018.  In 22 relief appearances, Barnette pitched 26.1 innings, had a record of 2-0, and a 2.39 ERA.  Barnette was granted free agency following the 2018 season.  Barnette made two relief appearance with the Chicago Cubs in 2019 before announcing his retirement in January 2019.  Barnette is currently working in baseball operations and scounting for his former team in Tokyo, Japan.

Matt Bush was in his 3rd season pitching out of the bullpen for the Rangers in 2018.  In 21 games, Bush pitched 23.0 innings, had a record of 0-0, and a 4.70 ERA.  Now 36, Bush  is once again healthy, and will make a bid for a job in the Rangers bullpen in 2022.