Former Texas Rangers Reliever Matt Moore Could Return This Week

Matt Moore was one of the Texas Rangers' best relievers last season and the opportunity for a reunion could come around soon.

The Los Angeles Angels surprised baseball on Tuesday by putting five veterans on waivers, per ESPN. The players should be available to claim on Thursday.

The veterans include pitcher Lucas Giolito, reliever Reynaldo López, and outfielders Hunter Renfroe and Randal Grichuk.

But the fifth will stand out to the Texas Rangers — reliever Matt Moore.

Moore was a critical piece of the Rangers bullpen last season. Could he become one again?

The Rangers will have to wait, thanks to the waiver claim order, which is based on reverse record. They’ll have to see if Moore clears the teams that are in order in front of them, and the order won’t be determined until Thursday.

López would be worth a claim. He has a sub-3.00 ERA since joining the Angels last month. Another reliever, Tigers right-hander José Cisnero, will be on waivers but is having an off year.

But there would be comfort in getting Moore back, who hasn’t skipped a beat since he left last season.

Last year, Moore was 5-2 with a 1.95 ERA in 63 games (all in relief). He had 14 holds and five saves in six chances. Those were the first saves of his career. In 74 innings, he gave up 49 hits, 20 runs (16 earned), three home runs and 38 walks. He struck out 83, allowed batters to hit .187 against him and he had a 1.18 WHIP.

Combined with current reliever Brock Burke, the Rangers had one of the better left-handed relief tandems in baseball.

But the Rangers didn’t re-sign Moore in the offseason. He joined the rival Angels in free agency and picked up right where he left off.

In 40 games with the Angels, he went 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA, with 20 holds in 43 innings. He gave up 30 hits, 12 runs (11 earned), 47 strikeouts and 12 walks. Batters were hitting just .196 against Moore and he had a 0.98 WHIP.

In other words, Moore would be a tremendous asset to any team that envisions itself a playoff contender.

For the Rangers, it could be a welcome homecoming.

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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