JOSÉ LECLERC NEWS

Set for Tommy John surgery Leclerc (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Impact It's the latest in a long string of bad news for Leclerc, who began his career as as very promising young reliever but has dealt with persistent injury problems in recent seasons. A typical recovery timeline will keep Leclerc sidelined until the middle of next season, at which point it will be anyone's guess how much of his previous potential still remains. In his absence, as well as the absence of several other top bullpen options, uninspiring veterans Ian Kennedy and Matt Bush look set to compete for whatever rare save opportunities the Rangers are able to manage.

MARCH 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Leclerc has elbow issues, to be out long-term Rangers pitcher José Leclerc has returned to Texas after experiencing elbow soreness and discomfort and is expected to miss a significant pe...

MARCH 22, 2021 • MLB.COM

Out with elbow soreness Leclerc is dealing with elbow soreness and is expected to miss an extended period, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Leclerc was considered the likely (albeit not locked-in) closer in Texas after top competitor Jonathan Hernandez was diagnosed with a sprained UCL in early March, but he's now dealing with elbow troubles himself. It's not clear exactly when the Rangers expect him to return, but he's out of the mix for at least the early part of the season. With Brett Martin (back) and Joely Rodriguez (ankle) also set to open the year on the injured list, the battle for saves in Texas is now wide open, with non-roster invitees Ian Kennedy and Matt Bush potentially leading the pack due to their experience working in the role.

MARCH 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Facing closer competition Texans manager Chris Woodward is not yet ready to name Leclerc the team's closer, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Leclerc, who gave up three hits in 1.1 innings Thursday, has experienced a drop in fastball velocity as he works his way back from a shoulder injury in 2020. Woodward mentioned Matt Bush and Ian Kennedy as possible closers if Leclerc is unable to lock in the job.

MARCH 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers need relief: Hernandez shut down by ligament sprain

The Texas Rangers will be without one of their top relievers to start the season

MARCH 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Closer competition thins Leclerc has a clearer path to reclaiming the closer role in Texas after Jonathan Hernandez was diagnosed with a sprained UCL on Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News repor...

Impact Leclerc was delayed by visa issues to start camp but has since arrived, though he's yet to pitch in a spring-training game. Though he's saved 29 games in his career, he wasn't a lock to win the closer role, as the last two seasons have seen him struggle to a 4.33 ERA in 2019 and then make only two appearances in an injury-abbreviated 2020. The Rangers' bullpen isn't exactly loaded with proven options, however, and Hernandez was shaping up to be his top competition. It hasn't been officially confirmed that Leclerc will win the job, but his path is now a lot clearer with Hernandez shut down from throwing for four weeks.

MARCH 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Leclerc’s new mound mentality could make for a bounce-back 2021 season SURPRISE, Ariz. — When Jose Leclerc signed a four-year, $14.75 million contract at the start of 2019, it came with what he felt were added r...

FEBRUARY 26, 2021 • DALLASNEWS.COM

Not yet named closer Leclerc (visa issues) has not yet been named Texas' closer, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Rangers manager Chris Woodward held off on naming a closer. "I'll let you know," Woodward said about Leclerc's 2021 role. "He's [closed] before. I think we have a few guys that we could potentially put down there. I don't think I'm going to name a closer right now." The manager also made comments about using multiple pitchers to close games, including Jonathan Hernandez, who had a breakout season in the bullpen.

FEBRUARY 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Experiencing visa issues Leclerc isn't available for the start of spring training due to visa issues, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Impact Leclerc is fully healthy heading into spring training after tearing a muscle behind his shoulder last season, but he'll be a late arrival to camp while awaiting clearance to enter North America. His visa issues are believed to be minor, and the right-hander should be the favorite to serve as the team's closer once he arrives at spring training.

FEBRUARY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy again Leclerc is healthy after tearing a muscle behind his shoulder last season, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact That's good news for the Rangers, but they can't be sure if the right-hander can recapture the form of his breakthrough 2018 season. There's nothing meaningful to be gleaned from 2020, when Leclerc was limited to two appearances, but opposing hitters made better contact against him in 2019. It will be hard to gauge Leclerc's progress during spring training, when hitters are typically behind pitchers, but the team is looking at the right-hander to be its closer in 2021.

FEBRUARY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners avoid arbitration with Crawford, Murphy and Montero

The Seattle Mariners agreed to terms with infielder J

JANUARY 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mariners bolster bullpen, get Montero in trade with Rangers

The Seattle Mariners have bolstered their bullpen by acquiring right-handed reliever Rafael Montero from the Texas Rangers

DECEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Allard expected to start for Texas at San Francisco

The Texas Rangers square off against the San Francisco Giants

AUGUST 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

San Francisco to host Texas Saturday

The San Francisco Giants host the Texas Rangers

AUGUST 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Giants to host Rangers Friday

The San Francisco Giants host the Texas Rangers

JULY 31, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jose Leclerc to i.l. with shoulder injury Ranger reliever Jose Leclerc will miss significant time with a shoulder injury

JULY 30, 2020 • LONESTARBALL.COM

Rangers' Leclerc joins sidelined Kluber with shoulder injury

Texas Rangers closer Jose Leclerc is joining starter Corey Kluber on the sideline with the same shoulder injury

JULY 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Joining big club Herget will have his contract purchased by the Rangers, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Impact Jose Leclerc (shoulder) was placed on the 45-Day injured list Thursday, opening up a spot on the big-league roster for Herget. The right-hander made five appearances for the Reds in 2019, allowing three runs on right hits and three walks across 6.1 innings. He should fill a low-leverage relief role during his time with the big club.

JULY 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on 45-Day IL Leclerc was placed on the 45-day injured list Thursday with a Grade 2 strain of his teres major, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Impact The injury is similar to the one teammate Corey Kluber (shoulder) is dealing with, though it's apparently a little less serious. Either way, he's set to receive a PRP injection before being shut down for around four weeks. The hope is that Leclerc will be able to return for the end of the season. It's unclear who will step in as the Rangers' closer in his absence, though Nick Goody picked up the save in his place Wednesday. Brett Martin, Jesse Chavez and Jonathan Hernandez are also options, along with Joely Rodriguez (lat) and Rafael Montero (elbow) once healthy.

JULY 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

LEADING OFF: Dodgers' Roberts back for Arizona's home opener

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will be returning from a one-game suspension when the defending NL West champions visit Arizona for the Diamondbacks’ home opener

JULY 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Leclerc held back with shoulder tightness Rangers closer José Leclerc was unable to pitch the ninth inning of Wednesday’s 7-4 win over the D-backs because of tightness in his right s...

JULY 30, 2020 • MLB.COM

Earns first career save Goody recorded the save Wednesday by retiring the Diamondbacks in order with one strikeout.

Impact Closer Jose Leclerc was warming up for the save opportunity, but his shoulder tightened up and Goody was then called upon. If Leclerc lands on the injured list it seems unlikely Goody operates as the fill-in closer given Wednesday was his first career save, but it was a solid outing to show his potential for a high-leverage role.

JULY 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with tight shoulder Leclerc missed out on Wednesday's save opportunity against the Diamondbacks after experiencing right shoulder tightness while warming up, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News repo...

Impact The 26-year-old was expected to have a chance to earn his second save of the season, but his shoulder tightened up and Nick Goody was called upon instead. Leclerc should be considered day-to-day until the team has more information on the injury. He'll be reevaluated on Thursday's scheduled off day.

JULY 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Olson's grand slam in 10th sends Athletics past Angels 7-3

JULY 25, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Earns save against Colorado Leclerc earned his first save of the season by pitching a scoreless inning Friday against Colorado. He walked one and struck out two.

Impact Leclerc needed 23 pitches (11 strikes) to get the win in a tight one-run contest, but he got the job done. He started the ninth with a walk to Ryan McMahon, but he redeemed himself with back-to-back strikeouts to Raimel Tapia and Sam Hilliard. Leclerc completed the save when Matt Kemp popped out to first. The 26-year-old went 14-for-18 in save opportunities while posting a 4.33 ERA during the 2019 season, and he is expected to be Texas' closer for the foreseeable future.

JULY 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE