Rangers add to pitching arsenal by signing arm from Nolan Arenado trade

Texas Rangers, lefty Austin Gomber agree to minor league deal

The Texas Rangers and left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber have agreed to a minor league deal with an invitation to MLB Spring Training, according to Just Baseball's Aram Leighton.

The St. Louis Cardinals selected Gomber in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Florida Atlantic University. During his rookie season in 2018, the lefty posted a 4.44 ERA (4.03 FIP) with 67 strikeouts and 32 walks in 75 innings across 29 outings (11 starts) with the Cardinals. After spending the 2019 season in the minors and on the Injured List, Gomber returned to big-league action in 2020, pitching to a 1.86 ERA (3.54 FIP) with 27 strikeouts and 15 walks in 29 innings across 14 appearances (four starts).

The Cardinals dealt Gomber, along with third baseman Elehuris Montero, righty Tony Locey, shortstop Mateo Gil and righty Jake Sommers, to the Colorado Rockies on February 1, 2021, in exchange for future Hall-of-Fame third baseman Nolan Arenado.

Upon acquiring Gomber, the Rockies immediately slotted him into their starting rotation. He spent five seasons with Colorado, posting 3.0 bWAR and a 5.31 ERA (5.03 FIP) with 445 strikeouts and 173 walks in 601 2/3 innings across 125 outings (109 starts). His best season came in 2024, when he was worth 2.1 bWAR and pitched to a 4.75 ERA with 116 strikeouts and 38 walks in 165 innings across 30 starts. Last season was easily the worst of his MLB career; he was worth -0.7 bWAR with a 7.49 ERA in 57 2/3 innings across 12 starts. He missed nearly three months during the 2025 season due to left shoulder soreness, which may have contributed to his poor performance.

The Rockies released Gomber in late August and the Chicago Cubs signed him to a minor league deal. He posted an impressive 0.47 ERA in 19 innings across four outings (three starts) for Triple-A Iowa, but never pitched in the big leagues for Chicago.

Could Austin Gomber become the Rangers' fifth starter?

Gomber most likely won't be Texas' fifth starter to begin the 2026 season. Righty Kumar Rocker or lefty Jacob Latz will likely claim that spot. It's also possible the Rangers begin the season with a six-man rotation, but Gomber still likely wouldn't crack the rotation over Latz or Rocker. A starting pitcher could easily suffer an injury during Spring Training, however, which could allow Gomber to start games for the Rangers. It's also important to keep in mind that lefty Cody Bradford is expected to return in May.

The Rangers may want to stash Gomber in the minors in case a starter gets injured. They may also want to convert him to a full-time reliever, as their bullpen isn't set in stone quite yet.