The Texas Rangers have given 30-year-old right-handed pitcher Peyton Gray his first shot at the major leagues, promoting him after placing left-handed reliever Robert Garcia on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder inflammation on Thursday.
Gray’s path to the big leagues has been anything but conventional, spanning eight years and 278 games across minor league baseball, independent leagues, and four winter seasons playing internationally before finally receiving his major league opportunity.
Garcia hasn’t taken the mound since April 16, though the injured list placement could only be backdated to Monday. The Rangers made space for Gray on their 40-man roster by designating minor league catcher Willie MacIver for assignment.
Following his time in the Rangers’ farm system last year, Gray made a strong impression during spring training as a non-roster invitee. He posted a 2.53 ERA across nine appearances, recording 18 strikeouts against just one walk in 10 2/3 innings pitched.
“Being the 30-year-old non-roster invite that doesn’t have any big league time, I don’t think they expected me to put up as many zeroes and throw as many strikes as I did,” Gray said in the Rangers clubhouse before a series finale against Pittsburgh. “So I think I surprised them. I might have surprised myself a little bit too.”
Gray, who expressed gratitude just to have a pitching job following spring training, started this season with Triple-A Round Rock. He delivered 12 1/3 scoreless innings across seven outings, posting a 1-0 record with two saves, 15 strikeouts, and two walks.
“What a story this is going to be when he gets on the mound. The journey is from minor leagues to independent ball to international, the whole deal. It’s an incredible story and earned,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “I mean, it’s not just because we need a pitcher. Like he’s earned this, and I think that’s what sticks out the most. Dominated in spring training, dominated in Triple-A so far.”
Gray’s professional career began after college at Florida Gulf Coast University with a brief stint in the Colorado Rockies’ Northwest League affiliate in 2018, remaining in their system through 2019.
His baseball odyssey continued in 2021 with the Kansas City Royals’ organization, interspersed with seasons playing for the Milwaukee Milkmen in the independent American Association. He spent this past winter pitching in the Dominican Republic, following three previous winters in Mexico’s Pacific League.
Garcia carries a 0-1 record with a 3.38 ERA through nine appearances for the Rangers this season. While an MRI revealed no structural damage and Garcia received a shoulder injection, he hadn’t pitched in a week before the Rangers made the roster move.
“We were kind of just waiting for it to turn. It just did not. So you can’t be a man short for too much longer,” Schumaker said.
“Now we’re just letting everything set in and let it take its course and give it some time. And then obviously day by day treatment and stuff like that as much as we can do,” Garcia said. “You have to be smart. It is April, and I know how much value I hold in the bullpen. And I don’t want to let this linger for five more months.”
