Who’s in and who’s out of the Rangers’ bullpen circle of trust?

It's far enough into the season that we are beginning to see who manager Bruce Bochy, pitching coach Mike Maddux, and Texas Rangers' fans feel comfortable seeing emerge from that bullpen door and continue what has been terrific starting pitching this year.

It has been a little bit of a mixed bag so far, but the overall results of the guys coming in relief have been positive with a few names standing out for all the right reasons. Others, however, have us white knuckling it all the way until the 27th out.

Let's take a look at who would be in Robert De Niro's "circle of trust" in Meet the Parents for Ranger relievers as we come upon the one quarter mark of the 2025 season.

Who’s in and who’s out of the Rangers’ bullpen circle of trust?

Firmly inside the circle of trust

Robert Garcia

The left-hander has been rock solid thus far, giving Bochy a dependable southpaw to come in for certain lefty/lefty matchups. But what maybe wasn't expected is how well Garcia has fared against righties as well. So far, Garcia's stat line is stellar. In 18 appearances, he has pitched 15.1 innings, allowing just 11 hits and 3 earned runs. He has also notched 15 strikeouts while maintaining a 1.76 ERA and .098 WHIP. He has also picked up a save for good measure. Yes, Garcia has been the best out of the pen so far this year.

Hoby Milner

Another lefty has had a marvelous first quarter of the season, putting up a stat line nearly identical to Garcia. The 34-year-old veteran sidewinder and Dallas native has also delivered 15.2 innings of 9 hits and 3 earned runs in relief while fanning 16. He has not surrendered a dinger yet this year either. Chris Young, Bochy, and Maddux knew what kind of stuff Milner brought to the table, but they have to be extraordinarily pleased with what they have gotten. His 1.72 ERA and .096 WHIP earn him a spot in the circle of trust.

Chris Martin

At 38, Martin is the elder statesman of the bullpen and has the salt and pepper hair and beard to match. But he can still bring it in the mid-90s with some hard-breaking stuff. At 6'8'' and 225 pounds, Martin has used his length to extend the distance between his release point, shortening the reaction time of hitters to the tune of an impressive 2.16 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. He has also gotten some significant swing-and-miss Ks, notching 20 in 16.2 innings pitched. Despite an occasional wobble here and there, welcome to the circle of trust, Chris.

Outside the Circle of Trust (for now)

Luke Jackson

The journeyman right-hander, surprised in the Spring and emerged as the go-to closer to begin the season. The results were good early as he racked up 8 saves in the first month, but things have gotten more choppy recently with a handful of blown saves and an ERA that has swelled to 6.00 as of April 7. In 12 innings pitched, Jackson has allowed 10 hits and issued 5 walks, temporarily losing the closer job. Hopefully, this is just a hiccup, and he will re-enter the circle of trust in some high-leverage situations.

Shawn Armstrong

This one is the toughest of the bunch as Armstrong has been good at times and shaky in others. Tabbed with middle relief, the big right-hander has had some control issues having walked 8 hitters in just 15.1 innings. He has a respectable ERA at 2.93, but his walk issues have lifted his WHIP to 1,24 which is fine for a starter, but elevated for a reliever. Armstrong is knocking on the door to get into the circle of trust if he can illustrate a little more control over his arsenal moving forward.

Jacob Webb

Webb is another hard-throwing righty that has been okay, but has been burned by the longball giving up three dingers in just over 17 innings pitched. He, like Armstrong hasn't been abysmal by any stretch, but he has been wobbly with an ERA of 4.06. He, too, is not as far outside the circle of trust as, say, Luke Jackson. His WHIP of .085 is the best of all the relievers with at least 12 innings pitched, which means he's allowing too much contact so far this season.