Rangers Sign Southpaw & DFA Former All-Star Pitcher

March 14, 2026 , ,
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jalen Beeks reacts during 2025 game.

The Texas Rangers have shaken up their bullpen picture just weeks before Opening Day, signing veteran left-hander Jalen Beeks to a one-year major league deal while designating former All-Star reliever Alexis Diaz for assignment. 

That marks the end of the road for what had been a brief and disappointing experiment for Diaz, who signed with Texas earlier this winter but struggled badly during spring training.

Rangers add Jalen Beeks to reinforce bullpen depth

Beeks arrives in Texas after a productive 2025 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he quietly became one of the most dependable arms in their bullpen. 

The 32-year-old appeared in 61 games, posting a 5-3 record with a 3.77 ERA across 57.1 innings while limiting hitters to a strong .618 opponent OPS. 

His ability to neutralize both left-handed and right-handed hitters made him an attractive late-spring addition for a Rangers bullpen that is still sorting out its high-leverage roles.

Texas reportedly guaranteed Beeks $1.6 million for the season, with the opportunity to earn an additional $1 million in performance incentives tied to appearances. 

Over seven big league seasons with clubs including the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Arizona, Beeks owns a 28-18 record, 4.31 ERA, and 16 saves across 263 career games. 

While he is unlikely to be a primary closer option, the Rangers expect him to provide reliable middle-inning work and help balance a bullpen that could feature several left-handed arms.

Alexis Diaz’s Rangers stint ends after rough spring

To clear space for Beeks on the 40-man roster, the Rangers designated Diaz for assignment after a brutal spring training showing. 

The 29-year-old right-hander allowed eight earned runs in just 1.2 innings across three Cactus League appearances, walking four batters and struggling with the command issues that plagued him throughout the 2025 season.

Diaz’s decline has been rapid, considering how promising his early career looked. 

The former Cincinnati Reds standout finished fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2022 and earned an All-Star selection in 2023. 

However, his control problems and declining velocity have led to a ton of struggles over the past two seasons, culminating in an 8.15 ERA in 17.2 major league innings last year across stints with the Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves.

Texas will now have seven days to trade Diaz, release him, or attempt to pass him through waivers. 

If he clears, the Rangers could outright him to Triple-A as a depth option while still paying his $1 million salary.

Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

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