Keone Kela expected to open year as Rangers' closer
Texas Rangers reliever Keone Kela will emerge as the club's closer, believes Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
"With Lincecum opening the season on the DL and likely out until mid-April, at least, I think the first chance is going to go to Kela," Grant writes in response to a question about the Rangers' ninth-inning gig. Alex Claudio and Jake Diekman appear to be the other candidates, but per Grant, "the Rangers feel they are more valuable in other roles." Kela spun a 2.79 ERA and 0.91 WHIP while striking out 51 and walking 17 across 38 2/3 innings last season. The right-hander turns 25 on April 16.
numberFire's models project Kela to record a 3.52 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 64 strikeouts and 5 saves across 51 innings this season, but that's based on Claudio serving as the Rangers' primary closer.
- Nick Fortes catching for Miami on Thursday April 18th, 2024
- Marlins' Emmanuel Rivera batting eighth on Thursday April 18th, 2024
- Boston's Rafael Devers (knee) diagnosed with bone bruise April 18th, 2024
- Joc Pederson batting third for Diamondbacks on Thursday April 18th, 2024
- Gabriel Moreno (thumb) catching for Arizona on Thursday April 18th, 2024
- Arizona's Jace Peterson batting seventh on Thursday April 18th, 2024
- Will Smith catching for Los Angeles on Wednesday April 17th, 2024
- Max Muncy batting fifth for Los Angeles on Wednesday April 17th, 2024
- Dodgers' James Outman batting seventh on Wednesday April 17th, 2024
- Gavin Lux batting ninth for Dodgers on Wednesday April 17th, 2024
- Austin Barnes catching for Dodgers on Tuesday April 16th, 2024
- Dodgers' Andy Pages batting seventh in MLB debut on Tuesday April 16th, 2024