Reports: Rangers signing veteran RHP Jakob Junis to 1-year deal

Field Level Media|published: Sun 18th January, 21:01 2026

Aug 24, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Jakob Junis (16) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Texas Rangers are adding veteran right-hander Jakob Junis on a one-year, $4 million contract, according to multiple reports Sunday night.

Junis, who began his career as a starter with the Kansas City Royals in 2017, worked exclusively out of the bullpen in 2025 in Cleveland. He was 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA, 18 walks and 55 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings over 57 games in his lone season with the Guardians. Cleveland had signed Junis to a one-year, $4.5 million deal last February.

The 33-year-old is a career 46-46 with two saves, a 4.36 ERA, 216 walks and 768 strikeouts in 847 innings over 249 games (116 starts) for the Royals (2017-21), San Francisco Giants (2022-23), Milwaukee Brewers (2024), Cincinnati Reds (2024) and Guardians.

Kansas City selected Junis in the 29th round of the 2011 MLB Draft.

The Rangers lost right-hander Phil Maton and left-hander Hoby Milner (both free agents who signed with the Chicago Cubs) from a bullpen last season that converted only 37 of 66 save opportunities (56%), ranking among the worst in the majors.

This offseason, Texas added lefty Tyler Alexander and right-handers Alexis Diaz, Carter Baumler and Zak Kent, and re-signed righty Chris Martin on a one-year, $4 million contract.

--Field Level Media

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