Texas Rangers Sign Left-Hander Anthony Veneziano to Minor League Deal After KBO Release

The Texas Rangers have added left-handed pitching depth to their organization, signing Anthony Veneziano to a minor league contract after the 27-year-old was released from his contract in South Korea. The move, first reported by Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News and confirmed by MLB Trade Rumors, brings back a pitcher the Rangers had pursued earlier in the year.

Veneziano, who spent the first half of the 2026 season with the SSG Landers of the Korea Baseball Organization, posted a 6.10 ERA across 16 starts before his release. He had originally signed a minor league deal with Texas in December 2025 but requested his release three weeks later to pursue the opportunity in the KBO, according to Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors.

A Familiar Target for Texas

The Rangers had previously shown interest in Veneziano as a depth arm, signing him in December before his KBO detour. The organization’s willingness to bring him back suggests they see potential in the lefty as a useful piece for the final months of the regular season. Veneziano has three seasons of MLB experience, most recently with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2025, following stints with the Kansas City Royals (2023-24) and the Miami Marlins (2024-25).

In the majors, Veneziano has a 3.98 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 40.2 innings pitched, primarily working as a reliever. His minor league numbers include a 4.21 ERA in 100 innings across Triple-A over the past two seasons, with a strikeout rate just under 9 per nine innings.

Key Facts

How He Fits the Rangers’ Needs

The Rangers are in the middle of a playoff push in the American League West, and adding pitching depth is a low-risk move. Veneziano is not expected to join the big league roster immediately, but he could be called up to provide innings out of the bullpen or as a bulk reliever in long relief. Texas has used several arms in spot starts and multi-inning roles this season, and Veneziano’s experience in both roles gives the team flexibility.

The left-hander’s ability to generate ground balls and limit walks in the majors — his MLB walk rate is 3.2 per nine innings — could make him a reliable option in high-leverage situations if he returns to form. His struggles in the KBO, where hitters are generally more aggressive, may have been partly due to adjustment to a different style of play.

What This Means for the Rangers’ Rotation

The signing does not alter the immediate rotation picture for Texas, which features a mix of veteran starters and younger arms. However, it adds a left-handed option to a bullpen that has lacked depth from that side. The Rangers’ current lefty relievers have posted a combined 4.40 ERA, and adding a pitcher with Veneziano’s track record could improve that unit.

If Veneziano performs well in Triple-A Round Rock, he could be a candidate for a September call-up, especially if the Rangers are in contention. The club has a history of giving minor league signings a chance to contribute down the stretch.

Prior MLB Career and KBO Detour

Veneziano was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 10th round of the 2019 MLB Draft and made his big league debut in 2023. He was traded to the Marlins in 2024 and later moved to the Cardinals in 2025. Across 50 appearances (4 starts), he has shown the ability to miss bats, with a 23.1% strikeout rate in the majors.

His KBO stint with the SSG Landers began in early 2026 but did not go as planned. After a strong start, Veneziano’s command wavered, leading to a 6.10 ERA in 16 starts. The Landers released him in late July, clearing the way for his return to affiliated baseball.

Source: Yahoo Sports (via The Sporting News) – “Rangers sign ex-Marlins lefty who recently played in the KBO” – https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/rangers-sign-ex-marlins-lefty-152331791.html