The Texas Rangers have signed veteran left-hander Patrick Corbin to a one-year contract, providing much-needed stability to an injury-thinned starting rotation. The announcement, made on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, comes just days after right-handed pitcher Jon Gray was sidelined with a wrist fracture, which he suffered when hit by a line drive during a Cactus League game against the Colorado Rockies on March 14, 2025.
Corbin, now entering his 13th major league season, brings a wealth of experience and durability to the Rangers. He has been a dependable force throughout his career, averaging more than 30 starts each year since 2017. Despite recent struggles, including a disappointing record in 2024 where he posted a 5.62 ERA with a 6-13 record over 174 2/3 innings, he has proven himself capable of logging significant innings.
"We felt like signing Patrick Corbin was an opportunity to bring in somebody who has really been an inning stabilizer over the past 10 plus years," said Chris Young, President of Baseball Operations for the Rangers. Young emphasized Corbin's reputation as a competitor and a player with a positive influence in the clubhouse, which the team believes is vital during this challenging time.
Gray’s injury means he will open the season on the 60-day injured list, limiting the Rangers’ rotation depth. Reports indicate that he could be re-evaluated in late May, but with a clean fracture and no immediate surgery required, there is hope for a return sooner than expected. The Rangers are looking for Corbin to help bridge the gap while they await Gray’s recovery.
In his last six seasons with the Washington Nationals, Corbin’s performance has been mixed. He initially thrived, winning 14 games and contributing significantly during the Nationals' World Series run in 2019. However, his success dwindled over the subsequent years, where he finished with a combined 5.71 ERA from 2020 to 2024. Over that span, he ranked last among pitchers with at least 500 innings in several categories, including ERA and losses. Yet, despite these struggles, he maintained the third-most innings of any pitcher in Major League Baseball since he entered the league.
With Gray and another pitcher, Cody Bradford, also sidelined due to elbow soreness, the need for Corbin has become even more apparent. As President Young noted, the "circumstances have changed internally with our starting pitching and depth" making Corbin’s signing critical at this juncture. Corbin’s ability to pitch deeper into games could alleviate some pressure on the bullpen, especially in the early parts of the season when other pitchers may have limitations due to health issues.
Corbin's signing comes with additional considerations; the 35-year-old is in the midst of preparations for a family addition, as his wife is due to deliver their third child soon. This development could affect his immediate availability, as he is not expected to join the team in Arizona until after the birth. Young reassured that Corbin has been keeping in shape, as he has thrown around 80 pitches in recent live batting practice sessions in Jupiter, Florida.
The contract details for Corbin’s signing have not been fully disclosed but reports suggest that it is a one-year deal worth slightly over $1 million with additional performance incentives. Young expressed optimism about Corbin’s potential to contribute significantly to the Rangers this season, provided he can exhibit the form he showed in the latter half of 2024.
As the Rangers head into the 2025 season following a third-place finish in the American League West last year—after winning the World Series title in 2023—this signing reflects an urgent attempt to bolster their rotation. With the Opening Day matchup against the Boston Red Sox on March 27, 2025, quickly approaching, every inning and every pitching change will be critical.
In summary, while questions about Corbin’s recent performance remain, his track record for health and the ability to eat innings could serve the Rangers well in their quest to recover from last year’s disappointing performance. The urgency of finding suitable starting pitching depth cannot be overstated, especially in a competitive league where every game counts.
