The Rangers didn’t make the same mistake on Colby Lewis twice.
Manager Jeff Banister passed up the veteran, gritty right-hander in Game 4 of last Fall’s ALDS for Derek Holland and regretted it when the lefty surrendered three homers in two innings. Lewis relieved Holland, allowing only one run in three innings of a lost cause.
So when this offseason rolled around Texas re-upped its belief in Lewis, finalizing a one-year contract with him last night. Lewis, 36, will bolster a strong rotation that also includes Yu Darvish, Cole Hamels, Holland and Martin Perez.
“It’s a great opportunity for me and my family to stay in a spot we love,” Lewis said on a conference call. “It was just a matter of working out small details and getting the deal taken care of.”
After leading the Rangers with 14 losses in 2014, Lewis bounced back with a team-high 17 wins last season.
But he does come with injury concerns. He tweaked his knee in May, wore a brace the rest of the season and underwent surgery in October. Of course, this is the same pitcher who missed the entire 2013 season after hip surgery only to return strong the following season.
He signed a one-year, $6 million deal, meaning he got a 50 percent raise. Lewis might be limited at the start of Spring Training, but is expected to be healthy and ready as part of the Rangers’ rotation.
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"Colby is a huge competitor with a huge heart," said general manager Jon Daniels. "'Time and time again, he's proven that he's going to figure it out. He finds a way to get it done. Unbelievable competitor. He's a Ranger."
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
