Texas Rangers Pitchers Andrew Heaney, Jose Leclerc Returning in 2024 After Contracts Exercised

Contract options were exercised on pitchers Andrew Heaney and Jose Leclerc on Saturday, insuring their returns for the defending champion Texas Rangers next season.

Two pitchers that helped the Texas Rangers win the 2023 World Series will be back for 2024, the Rangers announced on Saturday.

Starting pitcher Andrew Heaney excercised a contract option, while the Rangers did the same for closer José Leclerc to return next season.

Heaney’s option is expected to cost the Rangers $13 million. Leclerc’s option is expected to cost the Rangers $6.25 million. Both figures are per Spotrac.com.

The Rangers today announced the following transactions:

-LHP Andrew Heaney has exercised a player contract option for the 2024 season.
-RHP José Leclerc club contract option for the 2024 season exercised by the Rangers.

Both players are now under contract with Texas for 2024.

— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) November 4, 2023

Heaney had to make a decision by Saturday. The Rangers had until Sunday to decide on Leclerc.

Heaney had his best regular season as a starter with the Rangers, going 10-6 with a 4.15 ERA in 34 games and 28 starts. He moved into the bullpen in the season’s final month, but still posted 151 strikeouts, the second-most of his career.

In the postseason, Heaney pitched in five games with three starts, including five innings to claim a victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 4 of the World Series.

Leclerc started the season as the Rangers’ closer, lost the job and then reclaimed it late in the regular season. He was downright impressive during the playoffs in helping the Rangers win their first world title.

He went 0-2 with four saves and a 2.68 ERA in 57 regular-season appearances. In the postseason, he went 1-1 with four saves and a 3.29 ERA. He made 13 postseason appearances, the third-highest total of any pitcher in postseason history.

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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