The Texas Rangers are reportedly close to adding veteran right-hander Chris Paddack on a free-agent contract as they look to reinforce a rotation that has been stretched thin by injuries.
According to The Dallas Morning News, the agreement was nearing completion pending a physical examination.
The move comes after the Rangers lost Jack Leiter to the 15-day injured list following ankle surgery, leaving the club scrambling to fill his spot in the rotation.
Texas has already relied on a bullpen game in his absence and plans to do so again Monday while giving Jacob deGrom an extra day of rest.
While the signing would provide short-term pitching depth, Paddack arrives after a difficult 2026 campaign.
He opened the season with the Miami Marlins but struggled significantly, posting an 0-5 record with a 7.63 ERA in seven appearances before being designated for assignment and released in May.
The Cincinnati Reds quickly signed him in hopes of shoring up their own rotation, but his results remained inconsistent.
He went 0-2 with a 6.04 ERA across six appearances before Cincinnati also designated him for assignment in late June, making him a free agent.
Paddack’s most successful Major League season came in 2019 with the San Diego Padres, when he posted a 3.33 ERA and finished 9-7 in 26 starts during his rookie campaign.
That season is notable because current Rangers manager Skip Schumaker was serving as San Diego’s first-base coach and witnessed Paddack’s potential firsthand.
Texas is still awaiting reinforcements elsewhere. Left-hander Jordan Montgomery continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery and remains several weeks away from returning, while top pitching prospect Winston Santos has yet to make his Major League debut despite recently being called up.
With Leiter expected to remain sidelined until at least August and the Rangers facing a packed schedule without an off day until Friday, Paddack appears likely to receive an opportunity in the rotation sooner rather than later as Texas searches for stability on the mound.
