Jon Gray DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray has been rumored to be possibly moving to the bullpen. The rumor is that the Rangers could use Gray as a closer given his success out of the bullpen in the past. Gray has been fantastic in a small sample size out of the bullpen, but that doesn't appear to be the plan right now. Gray is open to the idea, but he said no one has approached him with the possibility of transitioning to the bullpen. That being said, Gray will continue to work as a starting pitcher until further notice. Gray posted a 4.47 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 86/28 K/BB ratio across 23 games (19 starts) with the Rangers last season. He has been a viable option in the rotation over the last three years for the Rangers. For now, fantasy managers can assume Gray will start the year in the rotation, but plans could change down the road.

Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (foot) threw his first bullpen session of spring training on Thursday. A neuroma in Gray's foot caused him to finish last year on the injured list, but by all accounts, he had a normal offseason and should be a full-go for spring training. The 33-year-old veteran appeared in 23 games (19 starts) in 2024 in his third year in Texas, going 5-6 with a 4.47 ERA (3.70 FIP), 1.31 WHIP, 86 strikeouts and 28 walks in 102 2/3 innings pitched. The Rangers lost both relief pitchers Kirby Yates, David Robertson and Jose Leclerc to free agency in the offseason, and they've mentioned Gray as a potential closing option in 2025, which would drastically affect his fantasy value. Even if Gray sticks as a starter, he should be ranked outside the top-100 fantasy starting pitchers after his strikeout rate dropped below 20% for the first time in his career.

The Texas Rangers have had internal discussions about using right-hander Jon Gray in a closing role in 2025, according to the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant. Last year's primary closer Kirby Yates signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency this offseason, and Jose Leclerc also left to join the Athletics, leaving the Rangers without an established arm to deploy in the ninth inning. Right now, Chris Martin is probably the favorite for most of the save opportunities, but Gray could be another option and has said he'd be open to the idea of becoming a reliever. The 33-year-old will remain stretched out as a starter in spring training, but don't be surprised if the Rangers move him to the bullpen if Martin struggles early on. Gray threw only 102 2/3 innings in 2024 due to groin and foot injuries, his fewest in a full season since his rookie year in 2015, so moving him to relief would also allow Texas to limit his innings.