A former Chicago Cubs pitcher is getting another opportunity to return to the Major Leagues thanks to the Texas Rangers.
According to the MLB transaction record, Codi Heuer recently signed a minor league contract with the Rangers. The Boston Red Sox were allegedly interested in Heuer earlier in the winter, but that pursuit never resulted in a deal.On April 4, the Rangers formally signed Heuer, assigning him to their Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock.
Heuer made headlines the previous season when throwing for Triple-A Iowa after breaking his arm. Viewers witnessed Heuer toss the ball well over the hitter’s head, leap off the mound, and clutch his arm in agony.
Heuer pitched 12.2 innings in 15 games for the Iowa Cubs before the injury, going 0-1 with a 7.82 ERA. He walked 11 and struck out 15.
Heuer had surgery in June of last year, and the Rangers deal offers him a chance to regain his place on the Major League roster.
Additionally, Heuer had Tommy John surgery in the past, which caused his 2022 season to be ruined.
He made 25 bullpen appearances for the Cubs in 2021 prior to the injury. In 28.2 innings, he was 3-3 with a 3.14 ERA, 17 strikeouts, and 13 walks.
In a trade that sent reliever Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox for Heuer and Nick Madrigal earlier this season, he transferred to the Chicago White Sox.
He pitched 62.1 innings, struck out 64 batters, and walked 19 in 61 games (all relief) for the White Sox in the Major Leagues in 2020 and 2021, going 7-1 with a 3.75 ERA.
In 2018, the White Sox selected Heuer in the sixth round out of Wichita State. He had to play two seasons before the White Sox called him up. During his White Sox minor league career, he recorded 11 saves out of 16 opportunities in 2019.