Jon Gray’s return to Rangers in new bullpen role provides both immediate, long-term upside
Texas Rangers pitcher Robert Garcia celebrates after striking out Athletics third baseman Gio Urshela for the final out of a 2-1 victory in baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
ARLINGTON — As Jon Gray entered the game Wednesday for his season debut, the lighting in Globe Life Field changed. Wolf howls emanated from the speakers and wolf graphics appeared on the video board, complete with animation.
It’s like they were waiting on him.
Texas Rangers pitcher Robert Garcia celebrates after striking out Athletics third baseman Gio Urshela for the final out of a 2-1 victory in baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Whether we’re talking about the Rangers game presentation crew or manager Bruce Bochy, the answer is the same: Boy, were they ever.
The Rangers have gotten legitimately hot over the last two weeks. Their biggest need as they close in on playoff contention is a leverage reliever. It only became more glaring when Chris Martin yanked his calf muscle over the weekend. And then Gray rode in like a character out of Twilight, firing fastballs and sliders to give the Rangers two key scoreless innings in a 2-1 sweep-clinching win over the A’s, wherever they are from. It was like the Rangers debuted a key trade acquisition, a week before the trade deadline.
Fans cheer Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García during the ninth inning of baseball game against the Athletics at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
“Oh, I’d say it’s like that, when you get somebody like Gray to help you out,” Bochy said. “I did put him in a tough spot, but he handled it well. He’s got the kind of stuff you like late in the ballgame.”
Or, as put by Jonah Heim, whose seventh-inning pop up turned into a game-winning double: “He’s going to be a weapon out there.”
Especially if his teammates make highlight-caliber plays behind him and the opponents make blooper-reel mistakes, as was the case in the sixth and seventh innings Wednesday. Entering a tie game, Gray’s first two sliders of the season, both to pinch-hitter Tyler Soderstrom weren’t particularly sharp, and Soderstrom drove the second toward the visiting bullpen in left center only to have Michael Helman leap to make a tumbling catch that saved two runs and ended the inning.
Soderstrom played a key role when he entered on defense, nearly running over shortstop Jacob Wilson in the seventh. As both players backed away from Heim’s two-out pop fly, it fell between them. Wyatt Langford - all gas, no brakes - sped around from first to score on the play.
It all added up to the Rangers’ fifth win on the homestand with three remaining against Atlanta, pushed them to three games over .500, tied with Tampa Bay for the first spot out of the wild card and 1 ½ games behind both Seattle and Boston, which were tied for the second spot. Not a bad night’s work for an offense that managed only four hits, one of them the misplayed double. But hot teams find ways to win, even if the opponent helps them occasionally find it.
“This is the kind of game that a lot of the time has gotten away from us,” Bochy said. “So, it’s good to win this one. They are playing with a lot of confidence. There is a good vibe going on.”
Texas Rangers pitcher Hoby Milner (41) delivers during the eighth inning of baseball game against the Athletics at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
He was this close to saying “vibing.”
Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford celebrates after scoring on a double by Rangers catcher Jonah Heim during the seventh inning of baseball game against the Athletics at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Oh well.
After the brief bout with a rusty slider, Gray looked much more like the guy the Rangers remembered from the 2023 postseason when he was a key weapon out of the bullpen. It was the first time he pitched in relief, but did it again last year after returning from since injuries. It left the Rangers very intrigued - so intrigued that there was talk he might be a candidate to close at the start of spring training. Didn’t materialize then. But he might be more valuable now as a multi-inning reliever. And here’s the thing: Gray likes the whole idea. Which is kinda key.
Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford scores past Athletics catcher Austin Wynns on a double by Rangers catcher Jonah Heim during the seventh inning of baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
“It just feels more raw; I like it,” Gray said of the bullpen role. “It’s more just taking your best stuff and going in, instead of trying to create a specific plan to beat the whole offense three times.
“In this role, I knew I was facing each guy once, maybe twice, so it was just take your best stuff and go at him. And that was just easy for me. It freed me up a lot.”
After the sixth-inning scare, Gray retired the side in order in the seventh, got the first two outs of the eighth before allowing a single. It set up perfectly to allow Bochy to use lefty Hoby Milner to face lefty Nick Kurtz. Then Robert Garcia pitched a perfect ninth for the save. It highlighted how the bullpen can work. Leading up to Martin’s injury, it had worked quite well recently. Since July 11, the bullpen has compiled a 1.24 ERA in 29 innings. For the year now, the bullpen has a 3.24 ERA, best in the AL, just ahead of Houston.
A double off the bat of Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim drops between Athletics outfielder Tyler Soderstrom (21) and shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) driving in a run during the seventh inning of baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
To make room for Gray on the 40-man roster, the Rangers designated Luke Jackson for assignment. Though he’d pitched well lately, Jackson had a 4.11 ERA, highest of any of the leverage relievers. Long man Caleb Boushley is now the only reliever with an ERA above four.
Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim drives in a run with a double during the seventh inning of baseball game against the Athletics at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
After the game, Gray still seemed amped up from his return, which he described as “intense.”
“It was tough at first, trying to ride all that energy in a positive way, but we got there eventually,” he said. “After [Helman] made that catch, I really settled down. I owe him a big ol’ hug; that’s for sure.”
A minute later, Gray said Helman’s catch was cool but…
“A strikeout would have been cooler.”
He laughed.
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Texas Rangers pitcher Jon Gray (22) delivers during the sixth inning of baseball game against the Athletics at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Texas Rangers outfielder Michael Helman (24) cant make diving catch on a single by Athletics outfielder Miguel Andujar during the fifth inning of baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Texas Rangers outfielder Michael Helman (24) cant make diving catch on a single by Athletics outfielder Miguel Andujar as second baseman Marcus Semien (2) looks on during the fifth inning of baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Texas Rangers outfielder Michael Helman (24) cant make diving catch on a single by Athletics outfielder Miguel Andujar as second baseman Marcus Semien (2) leaps out of the way on during the fifth inning of baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Texas Rangers outfielder Michael Helman (24) makes a leaping catch on a ball off the bat of Athletics pinch-hitter Tyler Soderstrom during the sixth inning of baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Texas Rangers second round draft pick AJ Russell shakes hands with manager Bruce Bochy before baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Texas Rangers second round draft pick AJ Russell looks up at a welcome message as he talks with manager Bruce Bochy before baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Texas Rangers second round draft pick AJ Russell looks up at a welcome message before baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (standing) watches from the dugout during the third inning of baseball game against the Athletics at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager hits a solo home run during the third inning of baseball game against the Athletics at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Texas Rangers outfielder Michael Helman (24) makes a leaping catch on a ball off the bat of Athletics pinch-hitter Tyler Soderstrom during the sixth inning of baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Texas Rangers pitcher Jon Gray (22) reacts after a leaping catch by outfielder Michael Helman for the third out in the top of the sixth inning of baseball game against the Athletics at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
