Rangers Eye Paddack
Texas Rangers near deal with Austin native Chris Paddack for pitching depth
Key Points
Paddack has undergone two Tommy John surgeries and also dealt with a forearm strain, contributing to his injury-filled path back to the rotation.
In 53 innings this season between the Marlins and Reds, he owns a 6.96 ERA with a 1.66 WHIP and an 8.1% strikeout-to-walk rate, highlighting limited upside beyond innings-eating depth.
Paddack’s 2019 Padres rookie season featured 26 starts with a strong 3.33 ERA and 9.8 K/9 over 140.2 innings, a benchmark for his earlier promise.
An Austin native, Paddack attended Cedar Park High School in Texas, highlighting his local roots as he nears a return to the Lone Star State.
The Texas Rangers are nearing a deal with right-hander Chris Paddack, bringing the veteran starter to his home state on a major league contract, according to CBS Sports. The deal is contingent on Paddack passing a physical, and the Rangers must clear a 40-man roster spot before it becomes official.
The signing would be Paddack's third stop in 2026 alone. He began the year with the Miami Marlins, moved to the Cincinnati Reds, and was designated for assignment by Cincinnati on June 22, Yahoo Sports reported. Texas is now stepping in, driven by a rotation thinned out by injuries.
Jack Leiter's Injury Opens the Rotation Door
The Rangers' need became urgent when starter Jack Leiter was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left ankle injury, according to Sports Illustrated. Texas has been forced to run bullpen games twice a week as a result. That taxes a relief corps already stretched thin and creates a clear opening for an innings-eating veteran.
Paddack is expected to fill the back of the rotation. He is not a difference-maker right now, but the Rangers need someone who can take the ball every five days. Even a modest five innings per start would reduce the burden on a struggling bullpen.
A 6.96 ERA and Fading Velocity Tell a Cautionary Story
Paddack has struggled badly in 2026. Across 13 appearances — nine of them starts — he owns a 6.96 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP in 53 innings split between Miami and Cincinnati, per CBS Sports. His strikeout-to-walk rate sits at just 8.1%, well below the league average for starters. His fastball has dropped from 95.5 mph in 2019 to 92.1 mph this season.
Two Tommy John surgeries have taken a toll. The first came early in his career, and a second procedure in 2022 further slowed his development. His career ERA stands at 4.78 over 119 starts. His best stretch — a 3.33 ERA with a 9.8 strikeout-per-nine-innings rate over 140.2 innings in his 2019 rookie year with San Diego — now feels like a distant peak.
Skip Schumaker's Personal Connection Could Be the X-Factor
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker is reportedly a key advocate for the signing. Schumaker served on the San Diego Padres coaching staff during Paddack's best years. That shared history gives him a blueprint for what Paddack looks like when he is working well — and, potentially, how to get him back there.
Clutch Points noted the Rangers are simply looking for veteran depth as injuries mount. Schumaker has said publicly the team wants
veteran stability
Austin Native Returns Home on a Low-Risk, Minimum Deal
Paddack grew up in Austin and attended Cedar Park High School. A return to Texas has been a recurring theme in his career. The financial terms reflect his current standing: the deal is expected to be a prorated league-minimum salary of around $740,000, according to Yahoo Sports. The Marlins and Reds are still responsible for earlier guaranteed money, making this a low-cost move for Texas ownership.
If Paddack stabilizes the rotation, the Rangers avoid giving up prospects at the July 30 trade deadline. If he falters, Texas may have no choice but to become aggressive buyers. For now, this is an emergency bandage on a rotation in clear distress — and a hometown shot at a second act for a pitcher who once looked like a star.
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