The Athletics have agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with former Texas right-handed reliever José Leclerc.
The 31-year-old Leclerc went 6-5 with a 4.32 ERA and one save in 64 relief appearances for the Rangers last season. He struck out 89 batters in 66 2/3 innings and held right-handed hitters to a .193 batting average.
Leclerc has spent his entire MLB career with the Rangers, making his debut in 2016. Over 350 career appearances, he has a 12-20 record, a 3.27 ERA, and 41 saves. He has averaged 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings during his career.
He was limited to just two games in 2020, with the last on July 26, due to a torn right teres major muscle. Leclerc missed the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on March 30, 2021, and returned to the big leagues on June 18, 2022.
To make room for Leclerc on the 40-man roster, the A’s designated right-handed pitcher Will Klein for assignment.
