Rangers Observe Zack Britton Workout

Former All-Star closer Zack Britton, more than a year removed from Tommy John, is a free agent.

The Texas Rangers were among the teams that observed a workout by pitcher Zack Britton on Wednesday, as the former All-Star tries to find a home for the 2023 season.

Britton’s workout was in Florida and also observed by the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, per The Athletic.

The New York Post reported that the Rangers are considered among three potential landing spots. The Angels and Dodgers were the others.

Britain is a two-time All-Star and was the 2016 American League Reliever of the Year, leading the league with 47 saves for the Baltimore Orioles.

Britton pitched for the Orioles from 2011-18. The Orioles traded him to the Yankees in 2018 and he spent the next four seasons in New York.

For his career he has a 35-26 record with a 3.13 ERA, along with 532 strikeouts and 154 saves.

The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in September of 2021 and missed nearly the entire 2022 season.

He returned on Sept. 22, but went back on the 60-day injured list with arm fatigue at the end of that month. He entered free agency after the season ended.

The Rangers have at least three candidates at closer — José Leclerc, Joe Barlow and Jonathan Hernández. But none have Britton’s credentials.

Leclerc, who returned to the Rangers midway through last season after Tommy John surgery, had seven saves. Barlow, who missed considerable time with blister issues, led the Rangers with 13 saves. Hernández had four saves.

Ten different pitchers had at least one save for Texas in 2022.

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