Bringing some back. 19 comments


The Rangers have signed Matt Bush to a minor league contract. Best known, at least as a Ranger, for being the guy who plunked Jose Batista in retaliation for The Flip, which sparked The Punch, Bush had a remarkable rookie season in 2016 where he went 7-2, posting a really nice 2.48 ERA, and an even gaudier 0.94 WHIP.

His 2017 wasn’t nearly as good. Neither was his 2018. He got into 21 games, to a 4.70 ERA and a forgettable 1.609 WHIP, before being shut down in mid-June with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. The Rangers waived him, he wasn’t picked up in the Rule 5 draft, so they re-signed him. He won’t be ready until after the All-Star game.

Texas also brought back Zac Curtis, who they claimed off waivers from the Phillies last August. He pitched in eight games for the Rangers and racked up a 9.45 ERA.

They also signed infielder Chase d’Arnaud and reliever Tim Dillard to minor league deals.

These are depth deals only. Bush and Curtis might find time in the threadbare Rangers bullpen. D’Arnaud and Dillard will fill in minor league rosters. After all, the minor league teams need players to fill in the lineups.

Here’s hoping Matt Bush can keep his amazing redemption story going.