Red Sox cutting ties with former Rangers reliever shouldn't lead to a reunion

The Boston Red Sox designated former Texas Rangers left-hander Danny Coulombe for assignment on Sunday, the team announced. Coulombe was set to make bonus money with his next appearance, which is likely a major reason Boston cut the left-hander from its active roster.

The Rangers acquired Coulombe from the Minnesota Twins for minor-league left-hander Garrett Horn at last season's trade deadline. While Coulombe had a dominant start to the 2025 season with Minnesota, recording a 1.16 ERA with 31 strikeouts and nine walks over 31 innings, it didn't translate to success with Texas.

Coulombe, 36, made just 15 appearances with the Rangers last year due to missing time with left shoulder fatigue. He struggled when he was on the field with Texas, recording a 5.25 ERA with nine walks across 12 innings.

Coulombe, who signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox in the offseason, had a poor start to the year, with a 6.55 ERA in 11 innings through May. However, he's improved since the calendar hit June, recording a 2.45 ERA over 11 innings. There are concerns, however, as the left-hander allowed eight hits and nine walks with just two strikeouts during that stretch.

Texas Rangers should avoid a reunion with recently cut Red Sox left-hander Danny Coulombe

While the Rangers desperately need bullpen help, they appear set as far as left-handed relievers go, with Jacob Latz and Tyler Alexander. Additionally, Cody Bradford and Jordan Montgomery could be options for Texas soon.

Entering Sunday, right-handed Rangers relievers rank 20th in ERA (4.51), 27th in strikeout rate (19.5%) and 29th in walk rate (7.7%). Meanwhile, their left-handed relievers rank sixth in ERA (2.98), and seventh in walk rate (8.3%).

Therefore, while the Rangers should monitor the free agent and trade markets and the waiver wire for relief help, right-handers are what they need. Luckily, injured left-hander Robert Garcia has started throwing, per Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News, but the team still has a notable lack of effective right-handers in its bullpen.

Coulombe has had a very successful MLB career, with a 3.43 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 322 strikeouts in 338 2/3 innings across 372 games. He's had strong results lately, and his past success suggests he could be a difference maker for another team. However, his poor underlying metrics, paired with the fact that Texas doesn't need more left-handed relief pitching, mean the Rangers should probably avoid reuniting with the veteran southpaw. Even if his underlying stats were better, he wouldn't fit the Rangers' needs.

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