Rangers Jose Leclerc on Dominican Republic WBC Roster

Jose Leclerc will pitch for the Dominican Republic while working to lock down the Texas closer role in 2023.

Texas Rangers reliever reliever José Leclerc will pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, which starts next month.

The official rosters were announced on Thursday.

Two other Rangers will participate in the World Baseball Classic. Martín Pérez will pitch for Venezuela and Rangers prospect Mitch Bratt will pitch for Canada.

Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, who had previously committed to pitching for Team USA, was not on the announced roster.

Leclerc started last season on the 60-day injured list as he continued his rehab from Tommy John surgery after being injured before the 2021 season.

Leclerc ended up with his best season since 2018, when he went 2-3 with 1.56 ERA and 16 saves. By season’s end, the Rangers slid him back into the ninth-inning role he had before Tommy John and he recorded all of his saves after Aug. 14.

Leclerc had a 15.00 ERA in his first three appearances of the season. After that, his monthly splits in July (2.35), August (2.04) and September (1.54) showed that his command and arm were coming around.

Leclerc finished 0-3 with a 2.83 ERA in 39 appearances (all in relief). He had seven saves and four holds.

Because he’s playing in the WBC, Leclerc will be allowed to report to Spring Training in Surprise, Ariz., a few days before the remaining pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 15.

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