With a need for more starting pitching in 2023, the Rangers will give former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel a look on Saturday. Keuchel, 34, signed a minor...
. Keuchel, 34, signed a minor league deal with the Rangers after being released twice this season, first by the Chicago White Sox and, most recently, by Arizona., who was placed on the IL retroactive to Tuesday with a mild calf strain. The Rangers believe Ragans will be back without missing more than the mandatory 15 days. The injury will actually help them cap Ragans’ innings count, which has already reached a professional high of 113 innings between the minors and majors this year.
After back-to-back Tommy John surgeries that cost him three seasons, Ragans had not pitched more than 80 innings in a professional season. He will likely finish somewhere between 120-130 innings. Keuchel made four starts for Triple-A Round Rock after signing with Rangers on July 25, including seven shutout innings last Friday against El Paso. Keuchel said he’s struggled with physical issues, including back problems, for much of the last year but said those are behind him now.
“I pressed through some things I shouldn’t have,” said Keuchel, who is 2-7 with an 8.53 ERA in the majors this season. “Showing up to the park and not feeling good was not ideal way to go about things. I’ve since stepped back and just tried to get back to being me. It’s been a refreshing re-start.” is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sept. 1, his first since landing on the IL on August 2.