Kennedy elected free agency Sunday after refusing an outright assignment to Triple-A Round Rock.
Rather than sticking around in the Rangers organization after he was removed from the 40-man roster last Thursday, Kennedy will explore his options on the open market. The 38-year-old right-hander posted a 7.20 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB in 10 innings out of the Texas bullpen prior to being designated for assignment.
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Rangers' Ian Kennedy: Designated for assignment
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Kennedy was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Thursday.
Kennedy was bludgeoned for 10 runs (eight earned) over 10 innings to earn a ticket off the 26- and 40-man rosters. The 38-year-old struggled mightily in 2022, as well, so it's possible this is the end of the line for the 17-year veteran.
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Rangers' Ian Kennedy: Part of ugly seventh inning
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Kennedy allowed five runs (four earned) on two hits and two walks over a third of an inning in Saturday's 8-2 loss to Houston.
Kennedy entered in the seventh inning with the Rangers down a run and didn't survive the frame. The right-hander gave up two hits and two walks, the second of which produced the inning's first run. He then induced a grounder, which was booted by shortstop Josh Smith as two more runs scored. That ended Kennedy's night, but he was charged with another two runs in an ugly inning that included the ejection of manager Bruce Bochy. Kennedy has allowed seven runs (five earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings through five outings.
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Rangers' Ian Kennedy: Mops up in loss
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Kennedy threw a perfect eighth inning in Friday's 2-0 loss to the Cubs.
Kennedy made his second appearance of the season, both as the final pitcher in 2-0 losses. He earned a roster spot with an effective stint in the Cactus League and was considered a possible closer candidate due to Jose Leclerc's neck injury in spring training, but with Leclerc healthy and Will Smith added to the roster, it looks like Kennedy will serve as a competent bullpen arm that can pitch in a variety of roles.
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Rangers' Ian Kennedy: Makes Opening Day roster
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The Rangers selected Kennedy's contract Wednesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
He was probably going to make the team regardless of how he performed in spring training, but Kennedy forced his way onto the roster with a 2.25 ERA and 8:3 K:BB over eight Cactus League innings. The veteran reliever could even work his way into closing situations on a team without an established back end of the bullpen.
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Rangers' Ian Kennedy: Makes another scoreless appearance
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Kennedy allowed one walk over a scoreless sixth inning in Saturday's spring game against the Angels.
This was the fifth straight scoreless appearance for Kennedy, a non-roster invitee who has allowed two hits and a walk while striking out four during the scoreless stretch. "He's experienced and he's gotten better as spring has gone on, which is usually the case with those guys," Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. "He knows what he's doing out there." Kennedy has recent history as a closer, including a stint with the Rangers in 2021, but it's unlikely he rises to that level if added to the Opening Day roster.
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Rangers' Ian Kennedy: Signs with Texas
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Kennedy signed a deal with the Rangers on Thursday, he announced on his personal Instagram account.
Kennedy struggled mightily in 2022 and posted a 5.36 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 50.1 innings. As a result, his $4 million option was declined by Arizona, though he'll look to bounce back with the Rangers -- a team he had plenty of success with in 2021. Kennedy has picked up double-digit saves in three of the last four seasons, though he'll likely enter the campaign behind at least Jose Leclerc for the closer role.
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Ian Kennedy: Becomes free agent
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The Diamondbacks declined to pick up Kennedy's $4 million mutual option Tuesday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Kennedy got hit around quite a bit last season, recording a 5.36 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 50.1 innings out of the bullpen, so it's not much of a surprise to see Arizona let him walk. Kennedy will turn 38 in December, so the possibility of retirement is certainly on the table.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Pounded in blowout loss
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Kennedy allowed four runs on five hits in two-thirds of an inning in Friday's 12-3 loss to the Padres.
Kennedy entered a low-leverage situation with the Diamondbacks trailing 7-1 and allowed runs for a fourth consecutive outing. He was removed from being the sole closer after blowing two saves last week and has allowed seven runs on seven hits without striking out a batter in two appearances since.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Fluid closer situation
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said the team's closer situation is "fluid," after Kennedy blew two consecutive save opportunities, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Kennedy gave up two runs in the ninth inning of a 6-5 loss to the Padres on Tuesday after allowing a game-tying home run in ninth against Milwaukee on Saturday. The manager would not commit to using Kennedy if a save chance arose Wednesday (one did not). "It's a fluid situation right now," Lovullo said. "We're still talking through that. My job is to help this team win baseball games and I'm going to make the best decision moving forward to help us do that." Lovullo has other veteran options to close games, but Mark Melancon (9.95 ERA last eight games) and Joe Mantiply (12.71 ERA last eight games) have both struggled the last few weeks.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Takes another blown save
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Kennedy (4-7) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss and a blown save versus the Padres on Tuesday.
Kennedy was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in this contest. He walked the first batter, then got two outs before allowing three straight baserunners. The last was a Jorge Alfaro two-run single to walk it off for the Padres, sending Kennedy to his second straight blown save. The 37-year-old right-hander has picked up some save chances with Mark Melancon out of the closer role, but Kennedy's now posted a 4.26 ERA over 12.2 innings since the start of August. This was his sixth blown save of the year to go with 10 saves, 11 holds, a 3.60 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP through 45 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Blows save Saturday
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Kennedy was tagged with a blown save against Milwaukee on Saturday as a result of giving up one run on one hit in one inning.
Kennedy was summoned to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning, but he served up a game-tying solo homer to Rowdy Tellez. The long ball marked the first run Kennedy has given up over five appearances since Aug. 16. Kennedy has converted 10 of 15 save chances this season while Mark Melancon is 17-for-20 in such opportunities.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Earns 10th save
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Kennedy allowed a hit and no walks while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save during Friday's win over the Brewers.
The Diamondbacks haven't had many save situations over the last few weeks since they've had some high-scoring matchups, but Kennedy was called upon during Friday's low-scoring game, and he picked up his 10th save of the year. The right-hander was charged with a blown save after giving up two runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Giants on Aug. 16, but he's tossed 3.1 scoreless innings over four appearances since then. Both Kennedy and Mark Melancon should remain in the mix for save chances over the final month of the regular season.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Surrenders walkoff homer
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Kennedy (4-6) was handed the loss and blown save during Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Giants, allowing two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Kennedy was brought in to pitch the ninth inning of a 1-0 game and recorded two outs before surrendering a triple and Brandon Crawford walkoff home run to take his second loss this month. The 37-year-old had been operating as manager Torey Lovullo's preferred closer of late, though that has the potential to change after two losses in his last five appearances. Kennedy sports a 3.38 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 36 strikeouts in 40 innings across 44 appearances.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Secures eighth save
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Kennedy saved Sunday's 7-4 win against the Rockies, walking one while recording one strikeout in the ninth inning.
Pitching for the second time in two days, Kennedy was brought in for the ninth inning of a three-run game and was forced to work harder than expected after an error on a potentially game-ending double play brought the tying run to the plate. The 37-year-old proceeded to induce a deep C.J. Cron lineout and struck out Elehuris Montero to close out the victory. Kennedy has now converted four saves this month and lowered his ERA to 2.97 with the successful appearance.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Secures seventh save
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Kennedy struck out one batter and issued a walk while earning a save with a scoreless inning during Monday's win over Pittsburgh.
Kennedy worked around a one-out walk to Tucupita Marcano and didn't have much issue finishing off the 3-0 win. The veteran righty has converted three straight save chances and has allowed just one run in 7.2 innings since blowing his last opportunity July 24. He's now sporting a 3.13 ERA with a 35:15 K:BB through 41 appearances. He seems to have passed Mark Melancon in the pecking order for saves, though we'll see if the Diamondbacks continue a committee approach or settle on Kennedy as the clear guy.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Logs sixth save
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Kennedy saved Friday's 6-5 win against the Rockies, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Kennedy's services were needed once Arizona took the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, and he navigated the heart of Colorado's lineup on just eight pitches. The 37-year-old has notched consecutive saves and appears to be manager Torey Lovullo's preferred option to finish games right now. Kennedy sports a 3.06 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 33 strikeouts in 35.1 innings and six saves across 39 appearances.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Could get saves
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Kennedy could be next up for saves as the Diamondbacks shift to a closer-by-committee approach, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
The veteran righty has a 2.25 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 17 strikeouts, one win and two saves in 16 innings since May 24. Mark Melancon, who entered the year as the closer, is 3-10 with a 4.66 ERA on the season. Joe Mantiply and Kyle Nelson are potential challengers to Kennedy in the ninth inning.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Earns fifth save
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Kennedy picked up the save Tuesday in Cleveland, striking out the side in the ninth inning of a 6-3 victory.
Kennedy made quick work of the final three spots in Cleveland's lineup, needing 14 pitches to punch out all three batters. It was his fifth save of the season and first since June 9. Mark Melancon took the loss Sunday and Monday and may have just been given a day of rest, leading to Kennedy's save chance. That said, given Melancon's recent struggles and 4.66 ERA for the season, it wouldn't be surprising to see Kennedy receive a few more save opportunities over the last two months.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Goes five outs for win
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Kennedy (4-4) threw 1.2 scoreless innings to pick up the win over San Francisco on Tuesday.
Starter Tyler Gilbert left with a lead after four innings, which doesn't qualify for a win, and Kennedy was deemed the most effective Arizona reliever. He's pitched in three of the five games played since being activated off the injured list, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two over 3.2 innings during that run. With the trade deadline approaching, Arizona is expected to trade the 38-year-old Kennedy, who had 26 saves in 2021 and 30 in 2019; however, he'll likely remain in a setup role wherever he lands.
