Rangers Add Veteran Left-Hander Marco Gonzales on Minor League Deal
The Texas Rangers have added another experienced arm to their pitching depth by signing veteran left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales to a minor league contract. The move gives Texas a low-risk option as the club looks to strengthen its rotation depth and protect itself against further injuries.
Gonzales, 34, recently became available after being released by the San Diego Padres on June 16. He had spent the early part of the season with Triple-A El Paso, where he struggled to find consistent form. In 13 appearances for San Diego’s top minor league affiliate, Gonzales posted a 7.99 ERA across 47 1/3 innings. He struck out 36 batters during that span while keeping his walk rate at 7.6 percent.
Although the overall numbers were rough, some underlying factors worked against him. Opposing hitters carried a .416 batting average on balls in play, while Gonzales left only 52.4 percent of baserunners stranded. He also produced a 41.6 percent ground-ball rate, but his strikeout rate sat at just 15.2 percent, limiting his ability to escape trouble.
The signing represents another step in Gonzales’ attempt to work his way back to the major leagues. He missed the entire 2025 season after dealing with a left forearm injury in 2024 that later required flexor tendon surgery. His most recent major league action came with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024. Before his season ended early, he made seven starts and recorded a 4.54 ERA over 33 2/3 innings.
Gonzales brings a long track record of major league experience. A first-round pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, he pitched in the majors from 2014 through 2024 and owns a career 4.16 ERA over 926 2/3 innings. His most productive stretch came with the Seattle Mariners, where he spent seven seasons from 2017 to 2023.
During his time in Seattle, Gonzales became a reliable member of the rotation. He appeared in 151 games for the Mariners, making 148 starts, and went 61-47 with a 4.08 ERA across 852 1/3 innings. He also earned the trust of the organization enough to start on Opening Day in three straight seasons from 2019 through 2021.
After the 2023 campaign, Gonzales was traded from Seattle to the Atlanta Braves and then quickly moved again to the Pirates just two days later. He later joined the Padres on a minor league deal during spring training, hoping to revive his career, but he never reached San Diego’s big league roster.
For Texas, the addition comes at a time when rotation depth has become more important. Jack Leiter recently landed on the injured list with right ankle posterior impingement, leaving the Rangers with less certainty behind their top starters. With several Triple-A options struggling, Gonzales gives the organization a veteran pitcher who could handle spot starts or long relief innings if needed.
Gonzales made his debut for Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday against Tacoma, allowing three runs over four innings.
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