Rangers Re-Sign Veteran Jesse Chavez to Minor League Deal

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers have signed veteran right-handed reliever Jesse Chavez and outfielder Cody Thomas to minor league contracts, the team announced Tuesday. Both players will join the Rangers’ major league spring training camp as non-roster invitees.

Chavez, 41, returns to the Rangers for his fourth stint with the organization. He was originally drafted by Texas in 2002 but was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates before making his MLB debut in 2008. Since then, Chavez has pitched for nine different teams, including multiple stints with the Rangers and Atlanta Braves. In 2024, he posted a 3.13 ERA over 63 1/3 innings with Atlanta, though advanced metrics suggest some regression may be due.

“Jesse brings experience and versatility to our bullpen,” said a Rangers spokesperson. “His ability to adapt and perform at a high level, even at this stage of his career, is remarkable.”

Chavez’s career has been marked by resilience. After struggling early in his career, he has posted a 3.38 ERA and 1.21 WHIP since turning 34, outperforming his earlier numbers. His 2024 season included a 20.8% strikeout rate, but his .279 batting average on balls in play and 80.3% strand rate indicate some good fortune.

The Rangers are rebuilding their bullpen on a budget after losing several key relievers to free agency. Chavez’s minor league deal aligns with the team’s strategy of adding cost-effective veterans. If he makes the major league roster, his salary is expected to be modest.

Outfielder Cody Thomas, 30, also joins the Rangers after spending 2024 with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. Thomas struggled in limited MLB action with the Oakland Athletics in 2022 and 2023, hitting .250/.308/.333 in 29 games. In Japan, he batted .263/.335/.324 in 79 minor league games but went hitless in 18 at-bats with the Buffaloes.

The Rangers’ non-roster invitees also include 2024 first-round pick Alejandro Osuna and other minor league standouts. The team hopes these additions will bolster depth as they aim to remain competitive while staying under the luxury tax threshold.

Chavez, who turns 42 in August, is one of the oldest active players in baseball. His return to Texas adds another chapter to a career that has spanned 23 professional seasons and 21 organizational changes. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity to keep playing the game I love,” Chavez said in a statement.