The Texas Rangers have officially parted ways with veteran right-handed pitcher Austin Voth, granting the 34-year-old his release from a minor league contract just days after he joined the organization. The move, first reported by Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News, ends what turned out to be a very brief stint with the Rangers, during which Voth made only one appearance for Triple-A Round Rock before requesting to become a free agent.
Voth had signed with Texas less than two weeks ago in hopes of reviving his Major League career and potentially earning a call-up to the Rangers’ pitching staff during the second half of the season. However, his stay with the organization was short-lived after he reportedly sought his release following his lone start at the Triple-A level.
While neither Voth nor the Rangers has publicly explained the reason behind the decision, industry speculation suggests that the experienced right-hander may have received interest from a team overseas. A return to international baseball would not be surprising, considering Voth enjoyed a productive campaign in Japan just one season ago.
The veteran spent the entire 2025 season pitching for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), where he successfully rebuilt his value. Over the course of 125 innings, Voth posted a respectable 3.96 ERA while serving as a dependable member of the Marines’ starting rotation. His solid performance overseas demonstrated that he still has the ability to contribute at a high level, making him an attractive option for clubs looking for experienced pitching.
After returning to the United States during the offseason, Voth signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox in an attempt to work his way back to the major leagues. Although he performed well enough to remain in the organization, he was unable to earn a promotion to Chicago’s big league roster before eventually moving on.
His 2026 season has included brief appearances at the Major League level with both the Toronto Blue Jays and the Minnesota Twins. Those opportunities, however, did not produce the results he was hoping for. Across a combined 10 innings in the majors this year, Voth allowed 12 earned runs on 19 hits while issuing six walks, numbers that ultimately prevented him from securing a permanent spot in either club’s bullpen or rotation.
Looking for another opportunity, Voth signed with the Rangers organization, hoping to impress at Triple-A Round Rock. His debut did not go as planned, as he surrendered four earned runs over five innings in his only start with the Express. Despite the rough outing, his overall performance in Triple-A this season has been considerably more encouraging.
Across 12 Triple-A starts between organizations, Voth has compiled a respectable 4.01 ERA while striking out 21 percent of opposing hitters, a figure that sits around the league average. Although he has averaged just over four innings per appearance, limiting his workload, he has continued to provide valuable versatility as both a starter and long reliever throughout the season.
That versatility has defined much of Voth’s professional career. Since making his Major League debut, the former Washington Nationals draft pick has appeared in parts of eight MLB seasons, pitching for several organizations while filling a variety of roles. Over 370⅓ career Major League innings, he owns an ERA just under 5.00, having worked as both a starter and reliever depending on his team’s needs.
One of the strongest stretches of Voth’s career came during the 2024 season with the Seattle Mariners. Serving primarily in middle relief, he delivered one of his most effective campaigns by recording a 3.69 ERA across 61 innings, proving he could still be a reliable bullpen arm at the highest level.
Now back on the open market, Voth will once again explore his options as he searches for the next chapter of his professional career. Whether that opportunity comes with another Major League organization, a contender seeking experienced pitching depth, or a return to Japan or another international league, the veteran right-hander is expected to draw interest thanks to his extensive professional experience, versatility, and proven ability to contribute in multiple pitching roles.
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