JOSÉ LECLERC NEWS

Garners save No. 4 Leclerc allowed one hit but otherwise pitched a clean ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn the save over the Mariners on Sunday.

Impact Leclerc allowed a two-out double to Eugenio Suarez but otherwise made easy work of the Mariner hitters. He's found himself in high leverage roles over the last two weeks and has two saves and three holds in last six appearances. Before this recent stretch, Leclerc had just two saves and four holds in 48 appearances. It seems he's earned manager Bruce Bochy's trust, and rightfully so, as he now owns a 2.85 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 62:27 K:BB in 53.2 innings.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Perfect for third save Leclerc picked up the save Tuesday against the Red Sox. He struck out one over a perfect inning.

Impact Leclerc was handed the ball for the ninth inning Tuesday, following up Aroldis Chapman's 1.2 shutout innings, and delivered his third save of the season. He bounced back from a blown save in his last appearance and appears to still be in contention with Chapman and Will Smith for ninth-inning duties. In 52 appearances this season, Leclerc owns a 2.98 ERA, a 1.21 WHIP and a 58:27 K:BB.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs second save Leclerc picked up the save in Monday's 4-3 win over the Mets. He walked one while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

Impact With Will Smith and Aroldis Chapman each having pitched Sunday, Leclerc was called upon to pitch the ninth with a one-run lead. The 29-year-old right-hander worked around a two-out walk to earn his second save of the year, his first since April 5. Leclerc has been a steady presence in the Rangers' bullpen of late, delivering eight consecutive scoreless appearances (8.2 innings) while earning more high-leverage opportunities. His ERA is down to 2.51 with a 1.12 WHIP and 47:21 K:BB across 43 innings this season.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Quietly pitching well Leclerc struck out two over a scoreless relief inning in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Twins.

Impact The Rangers' bullpen has been shaky during the team's seven-game losing streak, and it blew another lead Thursday. None of that is on Leclerc, the one-time closer who has a 1.53 ERA over 17.2 innings since coming off the injured list in early July. More importantly, he's limited the base on balls with just four walks (2.0 BB/9) during that stretch. Before landing on the IL, Leclerc walked 15 batters over 25 previous innings (5.4 BB/9). If Texas manager Bruce Bochy moves on from Will Smith as the team's closer, Aroldis Chapman could emerge as the primary closer, but Leclerc's sterling work could put him back into end-game consideration.

AUGUST 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Continues good relief work Leclerc struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Monday's 3-2 win over Tampa Bay.

Impact Leclerc and Aroldis Chapman teamed up for two perfect innings of relief while the Rangers plated a run in the bottom of the ninth for the win. Leclerc, who was removed from the closer's role earlier this season, has quietly put together a stretch of strong work out of the bullpen. The right-hander has a 1.88 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and five walks over the last 14.1 innings. Control has always been the issue for Leclerc, but he hasn't walked a batter in his last five appearances.

JULY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from injured list Leclerc (ankle) was activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Leclerc missed the last two weeks of action with a sprained right ankle but was able to make a couple rehab appearances without issue. The 29-year-old should primarily work in a setup role.

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Begins rehab assignment Leclerc (ankle) was assigned to Double-A Frisco on Sunday to begin a rehab assignment.

Impact The 29-year-old landed on the shelf with a right ankle sprain on June 21, and his quick return to game action indicates the injury was never a serious concern. Leclerc will be eligible to be reinstated from the injured list Thursday.

JULY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers place RHP Jose Leclerc (ankle) on 15-day IL The Texas Rangers placed reliever Jose Leclerc on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Wednesday.

JUNE 24, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Lands on injured list The Rangers placed Leclerc on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a sprained right ankle, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Leclerc has been solid out of the bullpen this season for Texas with a 3.42 ERA and 1.35 WHIP through 23.2 innings. He'll now be shelved for at least 15 days while Yerry Rodriguez comes up from Triple-A Round Rock to replace Leclerc in the bullpen.

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Used in long relief Leclerc allowed one hit and struck out two over 2.2 scoreless innings in Sunday's 7-3 loss to Tampa Bay.

Impact Leclerc, pitching for the first time in eight days, came on in the fourth inning after the Rays chased starter Martin Perez. Leclerc opened the season as the Rangers' closer, but has dropped to a middle-long relief role. He hasn't allowed a run over his last seven innings, but manager Bruce Bochy continues to use other arms when games are on the line.

JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns sketchy hold Leclerc allowed two hits and one walk over a third of an inning to get a hold in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.

Impact Leclerc had made a stretch of low-leverage appearances before getting the call to pitch the eighth inning of a one-run game. He retired the first batter then three consecutive batters reached, and he was removed after 16 pitches (eight strikes). Closer Will Smith came on to get the final five outs and save.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Leclerc Takes Step Forward The Texas Rangers are taking their time in getting relief pitcher Jose Leclerc back on track.

MAY 16, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Will work in low-leverage spots Leclerc allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over one inning in Sunday's 16-8 win over the Angels.

Impact Leclerc worked the final inning and ceded a solo home run to Hunter Renfroe. The one-time closer will be used in low-leverage situations, per Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News, and they don't get much lower than pitching with your team leading by nine runs to begin the ninth inning. Will Smith has taken over as the team's primary closer.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Short stint in loss Leclerc allowed two runs on two walks and one hit over a third of an inning in Wednesday's 12-7 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Impact On the day manager Bruce Bochy anointed Will Smith the team's sole closer, Leclerc had the kind of effort that forced the manager's decision. He walked the first two batters faced, the second of which produced the go-ahead run charged to Josh Sborz. A couple of batters later -- a sacrifice fly and a single -- and Leclerc's night was done. Leclerc has issued a passel of walks to start the season -- nine over 10 innings -- but until Wednesday, they hadn't hurt him.

MAY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Loses hold of closer's role Rangers manager Bruce Bochy confirmed Wednesday that Will Smith rather than Leclerc will see the majority of the team's save opportunities moving forward, Evan Grant of The Dallas...

Impact Bochy's pronouncement comes after Leclerc was bypassed for the save opportunity in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks in favor of Smith, who recorded the game's final four outs en route to notching his fourth save in as many chances. Leclerc and Smith had opened the season in something of a closing committee, and despite posting a strong 0.93 ERA and 1.14 WHIP through his first 10 appearances of the season, Leclerc's 18.4 percent walk rate didn't bode well for his chances of avoided a blowup somewhere down the line. Until Leclerc shows he can throw strikes with more consistency, Smith looks like he'll maintain a firm grip on the closer's gig.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bypassed for save opportunity Leclerc was not used in a save situation in Tuesday's 6-4 win over Arizona.

Impact Will Smith closed out the win instead of Leclerc, who hasn't been given a save opportunity since blowing his second of the season, April 24, against the Reds. Leclerc hasn't pitched in five days and was rested, but manager Bruce Bochy opted for Smith for a second straight time when a game presented a save chance. Leclerc's 0.93 ERA hides the seven walks he's allowed and a 6.14 xFIP over 9.2 innings.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Part of bullpen meltdown Leclerc (0-1) allowed three walks and an unearned run over a third of an inning, picking up the loss in Monday's game against the Reds.

Impact The base on balls -- an old Leclerc bugaboo -- reared itself once again. With the Rangers up, 6-4, in the bottom of the eighth inning, Leclerc entered a bases-loaded, two-out situation and promptly walked the first two batters faced (11 pitches three strikes). He was eventually pulled after walking the first batter faced on four pitches in the bottom of the ninth. That run come home to score, in part due to a wild pitch by Will Smith, which made it unearned. The blown save was Leclerc's second of the season and second in as many outings.

APRIL 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jacob deGrom exits with wrist injury in Rangers' win over Royals

Rangers ace Jacob deGrom exited with a sore right wrist after pitching four no-hit innings in Texas' win Monday over the Kansas City Royals

APRIL 18, 2023

Rangers blank Royals 4-0 after deGrom exits with sore wrist

Jacob deGrom exited with a sore right wrist after pitching four spotless innings, and two Texas Rangers relievers completed a one-hitter in a 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royal...

APRIL 18, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shuts door Friday Leclerc retired the side in the ninth inning of Friday's 6-2 win over Houston.

Impact Leclerc had been warming up when the Rangers plated an insurance run, making it a non-save opportunity. Still, it was a nice bounce back for Leclerc who blew a save his last time out.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blows first save Leclerc was charged with a blown save during Tuesday's win over the Royals after he allowed one unearned run on one hit and two walks over 1.1 innings. He did not record a strikeou...

Impact Lefty Will Smith opened the ninth inning by giving up a leadoff single, and Leclerc was stuck with the blown save after allowing the inherited runner to score. He then returned for the 10th and recorded one out before being lifted, and he was charged an unearned run when the designated runner later came around to score. Leclerc and Smith appear to be working as a closer committee and have one save apiece in the early going, with Tuesday marking the first time either reliever has been scored upon this season.

APRIL 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up first save Leclerc picked up the save after striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning during Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Orioles.

Impact Leclerc got the call in the ninth after Will Smith, who picked up the Rangers' first save opportunity Sunday against Philadelphia, worked 1.1 innings following Jacob deGrom's start. It appears Leclerc and Smith are going to split closing opportunities to open the season, which limits both players overall fantasy value. Leclerc now has two strikeouts across two scoreless innings to start the year.

APRIL 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Still in closer mix Texas manager Bruce Bochy told his bullpen on Opening Day that Leclerc would be the closer to start the season, but the manager called on Will Smith to close out Sunday's win over...

Impact Smith said he was surprised to get the call Sunday, given what Bochy had told members of the bullpen days earlier. The manager talked about bullpen versatility, indicating he could use any of his closer candidates in any situation. "It's a very versatile bullpen where I can use them in the fifth, sixth or high-leverage situations in the eighth and ninth," Bochy said. "It's a fun bullpen. Balance with the lefties and righties... there may be times where really all of them could [close] at some point." It appears Leclerc remains in the mix for saves, but Bochy may not have one set closer.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bypassed for save opportunity Leclerc was not used in a save situation in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Phillies.

Impact After a couple of blowout wins, the Rangers were presented with the first save opportunity of the season Sunday, and it was Will Smith who closed the door on Philadelphia. Leclerc had plenty of rest after throwing 21 pitches in Thursday's season opener. Both pitchers are expected to pitch the ninth inning, but Leclerc was the first in line to close games coming out of camp. Texas manager Bruce Bochy may have opted for the lefty Smith because left-handed hitters were due up in the ninth or because he had yet to pitch this season.

APRIL 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

First in line to close Leclerc is likely to see the save opportunity for the Rangers should one arise Thursday against the Phillies, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Leclerc has been seen as the favorite to close for a while, but his velocity was down this spring and manager Bruce Bochy had hedged his bets previously. However, it does appear he is indeed at the top of the pecking order. Will Smith, Jonathan Hernandez and Ian Kennedy could be options to close if Leclerc stumbles.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE