Rangers release former Brewers standout hurler from minor-league deal

As the Texas Rangers look like genuine contenders for the AL West, Chris Young is still tending over the club's depth, especially in the minor leagues. To that end, the team released Major League veteran Adrian Houser, who had spent the early part of the season with Triple-A Round Rock.

Houser had an up-and-down season in the minors so far, posting a 5.03 earned run average in eight starts. However, he also posted 37 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched. His most recent start was absolutely stellar, tossing 8.2 innings of shutout ball, allowing 4 hits, a walk, and striking out 4.

Rangers release Adrian Houser after strong outing, but door remains open for return

According to Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports, while the Texas Rangers have released Houser, Young isn't looking to cut bait entirely. The team allowed Houser to see if anything else was out there, but the Rangers would like to resign him to another deal (presumably another minor league contract).

Houser certainly offers depth to a Rangers rotation that has been mostly healthy this season outside of Kumar Rocker. It also happens to have one of the best rotations in baseball so far.

Fresh off Jake DeGrom's 8 innings of shutout ball on Thursday night, the team's rotation is currently second in major league baseball with a 2.90 ERA. The Rangers are only behind the New York Mets' 2.74 rotational earned run average.

Adrian Houser is a veteran hurler who started his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2015. He stayed with the Brew Crew until 2023 but moved to the Mets last season, where he bounced between the rotation and bullpen. In 23 outings, he posted a 1-5 record and a 5.84 ERA.

Should he resign with the Texas Rangers organization, it's likely Young is looking at Houser as a similar swingman who could add an experienced longman to the pen and start when needed as the season goes on.