Reliever who resurrected career with Guardians emerging as closer option for Rangers

Last year Jakob Junis was quietly one of the best relievers in the Guardians’ bullpen. 

While he didn’t get the same kind of attention as fellow relievers like Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis, he did everything the Guardians asked of him and made Cleveland’s $4.5 million investment in him look like a steal. 

Junis was able to parlay that performance into a one-year contract, $4 million with the Texas Rangers for 2026. And, if the early indications are to be believed, it seems like it won’t be long until that contract looks like a steal for the Rangers. 

On Monday, Junis picked the save for the Rangers on Monday with a scoreless ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners, marking the third career save for the 33-year-old. He was able to get it done on four pitches thanks to a ground out and double play. 

Former Guardian Jakob Junis could see plenty of high-leverage opportunities for Rangers this season 

With the save, Junis has now opened the season with six scoreless innings across five appearances. After opening the season with two scoreless innings against the Phillies, Junis has been a single-inning weapon for new Rangers manager Skip Schumaker.

He's yet to allow a walk this season and has allowed one hit (a single to Taylor Ward).

Schumaker declined to name Junis as the team’s closer on Monday night, instead saying that he’s planning on using him in a variety of high-leverage spots. 

But there’s clearly a path for Junis to work as the team’s closer given how things have gone for the Rangers so far this season. Chris Martin and Robert Garcia entered the start of the season as the top two options for the role, but they’ve both blown saves already this season. 

Tyler Alexander leads the club with two saves, but he only has two career seasons where he finished with an ERA under 4.00. 

Junis offers value as a multi-inning reliever (he made 18 multi-inning appearances for the Guardians last season), but he also may be Texas’ best option for its closer role. 

While Junis wouldn’t have worked as the Guardians’ closer this season, their decision to let him walk in free agency is still a bit confusing given how much Cleveland’s front office prioritized adding to the bullpen in the offseason. 

New arms Shawn Armstrong and Peyton Pallette have pitched well so far this season, but they’ve already sent new addition Colin Holderman down to Triple-A. 

Although the money doesn’t line up perfectly (Holderman’s only making $1.5 million, for example), Junis proved that he was worth the $4 million investment last season. 

That loss could end up being the Rangers’ gain.