The Texas Rangers have agreed to a one-year deal with left-hander Jalen Beeks, who will provide depth to a bullpen with minimal proven arms heading into the 2026 regular season. In a corresponding move, former All-Star Alexis Diaz was designated for assignment.
Beeks has spent parts of seven big-league seasons with five different teams. He was most recently with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he pitched to a 3.77 ERA over 61 appearances in 2025. Beeks operated as an opener for the Diamondbacks in two games, while also picking up a save as the club shuffled through late-inning relievers.
Diaz emerged as a dominant closer in his second season, securing 37 saves and an All-Star nomination in 2023 with the Cincinnati Reds. He’s fallen on hard times since then. Diaz scuffled to an 8.15 ERA while bouncing between three teams last year. He closed the campaign with the Atlanta Braves. Texas added Diaz as a free agent in December.
Texas Rangers Pick Up Reliever Depth in Jalen Beeks, Move On From Alexis Diaz
Beeks gives the Rangers’ bullpen a much-needed option from the left side. Texas brought in left-hander Robert Garcia last season in a trade with the Washington Nationals for first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. Garcia tied for the team lead with nine saves in 2025. He’s expected to tag-team the closer role with Chris Martin this season.
With Garcia serving as a co-closer, the Rangers needed a southpaw to match up against left-handed hitters outside of the 9th inning. The only healthy lefty reliever on the 40-man roster was Tyler Alexander, who is more of a long man. Jacob Latz is a candidate for the bullpen, though he’s currently vying for the fifth starter job. Beeks gives first-year manager Skip Schumaker a reliable lefty in the late innings, allowing him to preserve Garcia for save situations.
The 32-year-old Beeks was drafted by the Boston Red Sox back in 2014. He briefly debuted for the team in 2018, but was soon traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. Beeks was a consistent member of the Rays’ bullpen. He also chipped in a handful of starts from time to time. The Colorado Rockies claimed Beeks off waivers in 2023. He grabbed a career-high nine saves with the team in 2024, before getting traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Alexis Diaz In Search of a New Home After Jalen Beeks Addition
The rollercoaster journey continues for Diaz. Texas can seek a trade for him, then attempt to pass him through waivers. If he makes it through the waiver process, he can choose to head to the minor leagues and wait for a big-league opportunity.
Diaz began the 2025 season on the IL with a hamstring strain. He was blasted for eight earned runs over six innings upon returning to the Reds. Cincinnati sent him to Triple-A in May. The Los Angeles Dodgers took a shot on Diaz, sending right-hander Mike Villani to the Reds in a straight swap. Diaz put up a 5.00 ERA in nine appearances with L.A. and was designated for assignment in September. The Braves would be his final stop in 2025. Diaz coughed up eight earned runs in 1.2 innings with Atlanta.
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