ANAHEIM, Calif. — Their missions for the season accomplished, the Rangers have decided to shut down and option pitchers Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter off the 28-man roster to bolster their relief corps for the final weekend of the season.
The Rangers optioned Rocker and Leiter, who combined to pitch all eight innings in Thursday’s 3-2 loss to Oakland, to the Arizona Complex League. With all the minor league seasons completed, any options must officially be listed as the ACL.
The Rangers are recalling relievers Marc Church, who is scheduled to pitch in the prospect-driven Arizona Fall League next month, and Daniel Robert to give them extra arms in the bullpen. Church, 23, missed much of the season with a shoulder issue. Had he been healthy he likely would have gotten a look earlier. Since returning from the injured list, Church compiled a 4.29 ERA in 21 innings at Hickory and Round Rock. He struck out 24 and walked seven.
The Rangers also activated infielder Ezequiel Duran from the paternity list, where he had been since Tuesday. Outfielder Sandro Fabian was optioned back to the ACL.
Rocker, who spent most of the season recovering from 2023 elbow surgery, made three starts for the Rangers, pitching 11⅔ innings, in September. He allowed six runs (five earned) and struck out 14. He walked six.
Leiter, who pitched 3⅓ scoreless innings on Thursday, pitched 35⅔ innings in the majors this season over three different stints. He was up briefly in both April and May for spot starts, then returned for the last month. Since his return, Leiter had been sharper, allowing 11 walks and striking out 24 in 26⅓ innings.
Rocker and Leiter are expected to compete for spots in the rotation in 2025.
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