Jon Gray is set to return to the Texas Rangers soon, but his exact role on the pitching staff remains intentionally flexible. After completing a successful rehab assignment — including a final outing for Triple-A Round Rock in which he threw 61 pitches over 3⅔ innings and allowed just one run — the Rangers activated Gray from the injured list. However, they have not committed to reinstating him as a full-time starter.
Instead, the team appears poised to use Gray as a swingman — a hybrid role that could include spot starts, long relief appearances, or multi-inning outings out of the bullpen. This strategic flexibility helps the Rangers navigate ongoing rotation health concerns and manage workloads down the stretch, especially with injury-prone arms like Jacob deGrom and others needing careful handling.
The Management has acknowledged that Gray’s role will be determined based on team needs, emphasizing the importance of having adaptable arms in today’s game. In his first game back with the big-league club, Gray pitched two scoreless innings in relief, suggesting that the team is comfortable easing him back into high-leverage situations gradually rather than forcing him back into the rotation.
Gray himself has been open to the idea. Though he’s historically preferred starting, he said he’s focused on helping the team in whatever way possible now that he’s healthy.
In short, Jon Gray’s return provides a valuable depth boost for the Rangers, and while he may not rejoin the rotation immediately, his ability to pitch multiple innings in a variety of situations makes him an asset — especially as Texas pushes for postseason positioning.
