Rangers Designate Former Veteran Closer For Assignment

Needing a roster spot for the reinstated Jon Gray, the Texas Rangers have decided to designate 36-year-old Greg Holland for assignment. The former major league closer has thrown 4.2 innings over 5 appearances, struggling to a 7.71 ERA.

Roster moves for Tuesday:
- RHP Jon Gray activated from 10-day Injured List.
- RHP Greg Holland designated for assignment.

Gray will be the starting pitcher for the Rangers' road trip opener tonight at Seattle.

— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) April 19, 2022

Holland was trying to catch on with the Rangers after a couple of relatively decent seasons back in Kansas City, where he enjoyed the most success of his career. In 2015, Holland was the Royals closer for their World Series team. He's a three-time All-Star, and still might be able to get a look from another team. 

Holland has racked up 220 saves in his 12-year career, with a 3.14 ERA and 11.1 K/9, both very impressive marks. 

The right-hander Gray has been activated after the minimum stay on the 10-day IL due to a blister. His throwing was not hampered while on the IL, so he'll return with no restrictions. He's expected to make two starts this week, tonight against the Seattle Mariners, and again on Sunday against the Oakland Athletics. 

Gray is with Texas after serving the first 7 years of his career in the mile-high altitude of Colorado, so with the blister problem put behind him, he should enjoy working in the much more pitching-friendly confines of Choctaw Stadium (and even these next two road starts, which are also in offense-dampening ballparks in Seattle and Oakland). 

Photo Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports