The Rangers have re-signed right-hander Codi Heuer to a minor league contract, as reported by Matt Eddy of Baseball America. This deal likely includes an invitation to spring training for the major leagues next season.
Heuer, 28, was selected by the White Sox in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. He made his MLB debut relatively quickly during the shortened 2020 season, impressing with a remarkable 1.52 ERA over 23 2/3 innings. He recorded a strikeout rate of 27.2% and a walk rate of 9.8%, posting a solid 2.77 FIP, although he struggled in two postseason appearances against the A’s during the Wild Card series that year.
His strong debut earned him a spot on the White Sox roster for 2021, but he faced challenges early in the season. By June 4, he had a 6.26 ERA over 23 innings, despite a respectable 25% strikeout rate and only 4% walks, which gave him a decent 3.34 FIP. He later improved significantly, posting a 3.45 ERA over his next 18 appearances. However, at the trade deadline, he was traded to the Cubs along with Nick Madrigal in exchange for closer Craig Kimbrel.
After joining the Cubs, Heuer performed well in the final two months of the season, stepping into a late-inning role and accumulating two saves and four holds with a 3.14 ERA in 28 2/3 innings. However, his peripheral stats raised concerns, as his strikeout rate plummeted to 14.8%, just above an 11.3% walk rate. Despite these issues, the Cubs retained him heading into the rebuilding 2022 season.
Unfortunately, Heuer underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2022, keeping him off the mound until midway through the 2023 season. Just as he was preparing to return, he suffered a fractured elbow, resulting in another season-ending surgery. He later signed a minor league deal with the Rangers after being non-tendered by the Cubs last November. Although Heuer did not return to professional play in 2024, his re-signing suggests the Rangers believe he could be a contributor in 2025.
With only 12 2/3 innings pitched over the past three years, it’s challenging to predict how Heuer will perform when he returns. If he can shake off the rust, he might become a valuable addition to the Rangers’ bullpen, which struggled last year with the fifth-worst ERA in the majors, despite strong performances from veterans David Robertson, Jose Leclerc, and Kirby Yates, all of whom opted for free agency earlier this month. Nevertheless, this re-signing alone is unlikely to significantly strengthen the Rangers’ bullpen, and they will likely pursue other options as the offseason progresses
Leave a Reply