ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers have added experienced bullpen depth by agreeing to a minor league contract with veteran reliever Ryan Brasier, a deal that includes an invitation to major league spring training.
The announcement was made Tuesday, coinciding with the club’s first workout for pitchers and catchers at spring camp in Surprise, Arizona.
Brasier, a Texas native, will be one of 25 non-roster players competing for a spot during camp as the Rangers continue to evaluate options for their pitching staff. While the contract does not guarantee a major league roster spot, it gives the 38-year-old right-hander an opportunity to earn his way onto the team ahead of the regular season.
The 2025 campaign will mark Brasier’s 10th season in Major League Baseball. Last year, he appeared in 28 games for the Chicago Cubs, posting a 0–1 record with a 4.50 earned run average. While his time in Chicago was brief, Brasier has built a long résumé as a reliable bullpen arm, logging 325 career appearances at the big league level. All but six of those outings have come in relief, highlighting his role as a full-time bullpen pitcher throughout his career.
Over nine major league seasons, Brasier owns a 10–9 record with a 3.90 ERA while pitching for four different organizations. His experience includes time with two World Series championship teams, having contributed to the Boston Red Sox’s title run in 2018 and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ championship squad in 2024. That postseason pedigree could prove valuable for a Rangers team that continues to prioritize depth and experience.
Brasier’s path to sustained major league success has been anything but straightforward. He made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2013, but his momentum was halted the following year when elbow surgery forced him to miss the entire 2014 season. Determined to continue his career, Brasier took an unconventional route by pitching in Japan during the 2017 season.
That decision paid off, as he returned to Major League Baseball in 2018 with the Red Sox and became a key contributor during their championship run. However, his tenure in Boston eventually came to an end when the club released him in May 2023. Brasier quickly found another opportunity, signing with the Dodgers later that year before being traded to the Cubs just prior to spring training in 2024.
Now, Brasier finds himself back in his home state with a chance to extend his career once again. Born and raised in Wichita Falls — roughly 130 miles from Globe Life Field — the veteran reliever has strong ties to Texas. He attended Weatherford College before being selected by the Angels in the sixth round of the 2007 MLB Draft.
As spring training unfolds, Brasier will look to leverage his experience, resilience, and championship background to make a strong impression and earn a spot in the Rangers’ bullpen plans for the upcoming season.
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