World Collection Champ Nonetheless a Free Agent 554 Days After Final MLB Pitch

It was simply three years in the past that José Leclerc was standing on the mound within the World Collection. Pitching for the Texas Rangers, who received that World Collection 4-1 over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Leclerc tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings in his three appearances, permitting just one hit.

He was even credited with the win in Recreation 1, retiring all 6 batters he confronted within the tenth and eleventh innings, earlier than the Rangers’ Adolis Garcia received it with a walk-off residence run. And he acquired the save in Recreation 3.

However now, because the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays battle for the World Collection trophy, Leclerc stays a free agent 554 days after throwing his final main league pitch, on April 22, 2025 for the Athletics in opposition to his one-time membership, Texas. The previous Rangers nearer has had no major-league or minor-league contract reported for the reason that San Diego Padres launched him final month.

The Padres minimize the right-hander unfastened from Triple-A El Paso on Sept. 7, ending a minor-league stint spent rehabbing from shoulder surgical procedure.

Born Dec. 19, 1993, in Esperanza, Dominican Republic, Leclerc stands 6-foot and weighs 195 kilos. He signed with Texas as a world free agent on Nov. 20, 2010, and labored by the Rangers’ farm system earlier than debuting July 6, 2016, in opposition to Boston.

By way of 2025, he owns a 12-21 report, 3.34 ERA, 41 saves and 481 strikeouts throughout 360 video games, 3 of them begins. The Rangers named him their Pitcher of the Yr in 2018. Tommy John surgical procedure then compelled him to overlook your complete 2021 season.

Rangers Nearer José Leclerc’s 2023 Postseason Function

Leclerc labored 57 video games for Texas in 2023, going 0-2 with a 2.68 ERA, 67 strikeouts and 4 saves over 57 innings.

October introduced a heavier load. He pitched in 13 postseason video games, ending 1-1 with a 3.29 ERA, 14 strikeouts and 4 saves in 13.2 innings.

Early in that run, he grew to become the primary pitcher in MLB historical past to shut his crew’s first 7 postseason video games, because the Rangers opened the playoffs 7-0.

Within the World Collection in opposition to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Leclerc made 3 appearances, permitting no runs over 3.1 innings with 4 strikeouts and 1 save, which got here in Recreation 3. Texas received the collection 4-1 for the primary and solely championship in franchise historical past.

José Leclerc’s Transactions Because the World Collection

Leclerc went 6-5 with a 4.32 ERA in 64 appearances for the Rangers in 2024, putting out 89 and saving 1 recreation. He elected free company round Oct. 31 of that yr.

The Athletics then signed him to a one-year, $10 million deal on Jan. 17, 2025.

The stick with the Athletics ended nearly earlier than it started. Leclerc made 10 appearances, going 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA, 8 strikeouts and 5 walks in 9 innings. He landed on the 15-day injured listing April 23 with a proper lat pressure and moved to the 60-day listing every week later.

He underwent season-ending shoulder surgical procedure round July 25, carried out by Rangers crew surgeon Dr. Keith Meister. Leclerc elected free company once more on Nov. 2, 2025.

San Diego signed him to a minor-league contract March 27, 2026, and assigned him to El Paso. The Padres positioned him on the 60-day injured listing in April whereas he continued rehabbing, and he returned to recreation motion in July, working at a number of ranges of their system.

The outcomes have been tough. Leclerc posted a 7.77 ERA over 24.1 innings within the minors, with 26 strikeouts and 12 walks. His ERA at Triple-A was 11.74, and his velocity sat under its peak ranges.

He now heads into the winter as a candidate for one more minor-league deal whereas his restoration continues. Leclerc turns 33 on Dec. 19.

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