John King
YEARTEAMGGSCGSHOWLSIPHitsERSOBBHRERA
2022Rampage4100000350.23516113542.84
2023Rampage2500010030.1271591234.45
2024Rampage3600023038.03927162376.39
2025Rampage1600001016.014981655.06
MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
May 21 2025King has been scored upon in seven of 16 appearances this season out of the Cardinals' bullpen. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King was a trusted reliever for manager Oliver Marmol the previous two seasons, collecting a 2.75 ERA across 75 appearances. The sinker baller is still inducing grounders at an elite 64.3 percent rate, but an ugly 4.91 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 8:6 K:BB over 14.2 frames has reduced the southpaw to low-leverage appearances in 2025, as King's lone hold this season came back on Opening Day.
Jan 9 2025King agreed to a one-year, $1.605 million contract with the Cardinals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King's first full season in St. Louis marked the best of his five-year career, finishing with a 2.85 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 60 innings out of the bullpen. He won't be a candidate for saves as long as Ryan Helsley is on the active roster, but the 30-year-old King seems to have developed into a reliable middle reliever.
Aug 28 2024King (3-3) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk over one inning to take the loss Tuesday versus the Padres. He did not record a strikeout. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King got the last out of the sixth inning in relief of Miles Mikolas, but he then stumbled in the seventh. Since the All-Star break, King has a 5.11 ERA and 5:3 K:BB over 12.1 innings while taking two losses and one blown save. While he is regressing, this has still been his best major-league season -- the southpaw has a 3.10 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 32:8 K:BB across 39.1 innings while adding seven holds this year.
Jul 22 2024King (3-2) allowed a run on three hits and struck out one in one inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King gave up an RBI single to Nick Gonzales in the eighth inning, and the Pirates were able to hold onto the lead. This ended a 4.2-inning scoreless streak for King. The southpaw has still put together a solid campaign with a 2.61 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 28:5 K:BB through 38 innings. He's added five holds and one blown save while mainly working in a low-leverage role.
Jul 4 2024King (3-1) got the win in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Pirates. He pitched two innings and gave up one unearned run on two hits. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After pitching a clean ninth, the 29-year-old gave up a pair of two-out singles in the 10th, but manager Oliver Marmol showed trust by letting King finish off the game. The lefty reliever got off to a strong start this season with a 1.33 ERA over his first 20.1 innings, but has struggled as of late with a 5.25 ERA in his last 12 innings. His sharp command remains his calling card, as he's only walked four batters all season and will carry a 2.78 ERA and 1.14 WHIP into his next outing.
Jun 2 2024King (2-1) pitched a perfect inning and earned the extra-inning win over the Phillies on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King got a look in a high-leverage spot, and he kept the game scoreless with a spotless ninth inning. The Cardinals took the lead in the 10th and Ryan Helsley closed it out. King hasn't allowed an earned run over his last 10 innings, though he's given up three unearned runs in that span. He's pitched to a strong 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB over 18 innings while adding three holds and a blown save in 2024.
May 23 2024King (1-1) pitched two scoreless and hitless innings, walking one and striking out one while earning the win Wednesday over the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King provided much-needed length out of the bullpen following a rain delay that ended starter Kyle Gibson's day after four innings. King has kept runs off the board in six of his nine outings since he was recalled from Triple-A Memphis in early May. He's at a 2.13 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB over 12.2 innings while adding two holds and a blown save across 11 appearances. King isn't a regular part of the Cardinals' high-leverage mix, so his fantasy appeal remains low.
Apr 24 2024The Cardinals recalled King from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King will provide the St. Louis bullpen with a fresh arm after Zack Thompson -- who gave up seven earned runs over two innings of relief in Tuesday's 14-1 loss to the Diamondbacks -- was optioned to Memphis in a corresponding move. Acquired from the Rangers at the trade deadline last summer, King has previously made 22 total appearances as a member of the Cardinals, logging a 1.71 ERA while collecting 10 holds and one win over 21 innings.
Apr 9 2024King was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The left-hander will move off the major-league roster to make room for Sonny Gray (hamstring), who is returning from the injured list to make his season debut Tuesday. King appeared in two games for the Cardinals and allowed a run on three hits with a 4:0 K:BB over 2.1 innings.
Mar 31 2024King (0-1) allowed a run on one hit and struck out two over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Sunday versus the Dodgers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King didn't make the Cardinals' Opening Day roster, but he was first in line for a call-up when Riley O'Brien (forearm) went on the injured list Sunday. King's season debut went poorly, as he inherited a runner from Andre Pallante and then gave up the game-deciding home run to Max Muncy in the eighth inning. Last season, King posted a 3.62 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB over 37.1 innings between the Rangers and the Cardinals while adding 12 holds in 35 appearances. He's not expected to be part of the high-leverage mix, and his poor first impression Sunday is likely enough to keep him in a middle-innings role going forward.
Mar 26 2024Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Tuesday they plan to option King to Triple-A Memphis, John Denton of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Cardinals plan to option King to help finalize their 26-man roster for Opening Day. He was scheduled to face hitters Sunday at the Cardinals' spring training complex, but was unable to due to illness. The lefty did not travel with the team to Arizona for its two exhibition games against the Cubs on Monday and Tuesday. The 29-year-old struggled early in spring training, but allowed no runs in his final three Grapefruit League outings before the illness came up. With King not getting the roster spot, Ryan Fernandez takes the final spot in the bullpen.
Mar 25 2024King (illness) was scheduled to face hitters at the Cardinals' spring training complex in Florida on Sunday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King did not travel with the team to Arizona for its two exhibition games against the Cubs on Monday and Tuesday, but he remains a possibility to be included on the Opening Day roster. The left-handed reliever struggled early on this spring but was unscored upon in his final three Grapefruit League appearances before an illness cropped up.
Mar 23 2024King will not pitch in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals due to an illness, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 29-year-old lefty should return to the mound in a few days once he's recovered from his illness. After giving up seven runs on 14 hits and six walks over his first six spring training games, King has not allowed a run over his last three appearances.
Mar 4 2024King has allowed five runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out two over three Grapefruit League innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King's already a long-shot for high-leverage work, and his early results in spring won't help his cause. The southpaw is a groundball specialist who saw some late-inning work with 12 holds in 35 appearances between the Rangers and the Cardinals last season. He'll need to show solid control and limit opponents to weak contact to have success.
Jan 11 2024King agreed to a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 29-year-old lefty has seen his strikeout rate decline in three consecutive seasons, while his WHIP has gone up for three years in a row. He is a left-handed groundball specialist who has more real-life value than fantasy value.
Sep 18 2023King (1-0) allowed a run on three hits and a walk while striking out one over one inning to earn the win Sunday over the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King also took a blown save after allowing the Phillies to tie the game in the eighth inning, but the Cardinals quickly retook the lead in their half of the frame. Over 16 appearances with St. Louis, King has posted a 1.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 8:4 K:BB and seven holds across 15 innings. He's at a 4.01 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB through 33.2 innings overall when accounting for his time with the Rangers. While he's seen some high-leverage work with the Cardinals, he's unlikely to be in the mix to close games with both Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos healthy.
Aug 1 2023The Cardinals added King to the 26-man active roster Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King was in Triple-A when the Rangers traded him to St. Louis as part of the Jordan Montgomery deal, and he'll return to the majors as he switches organizations. The 28-year-old lefty holds a 5.79 ERA and 1.61 WHIP through 18.2 innings in the big leagues this year.
Jul 19 2023The Rangers optioned King to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King will head back to Triple-A after being called up Saturday, having failed to appear in a game while with the Rangers. Alex Speas had his contract selected from Round Rock on Wednesday and will replace King in the Rangers' bullpen.
Jul 15 2023King was called up by Texas on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This will be King's third stint in the majors this season. During his previous time with the team, he struggled to a 5.79 ERA in 18.2 innings while striking out just 12.3 percent of opposing batters. Josh Sborz (biceps) hit the injured list in a corresponding move.
Jul 7 2023The Rangers optioned King to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King was brought up to the majors Tuesday to fill Andrew Heaney's place while Heaney went on paternity leave. Now that Heaney is back with the team, King will return to Round Rock after making two shutout appearances.
Jul 4 2023King was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King holds an ugly 6.61 ERA over 13 relief appearances for the Rangers this season. He'll provide manager Bruce Bochy with another left-hander in the bullpen.
Jun 30 2023King was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King will head to Round Rock after being called up May 11, posting a 6.61 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with nine strikeouts over 16.1 innings in 13 appearances with Texas. With the Rangers acquiring Aroldis Chapman via trade from the Royals, King was the odd man out in the major-league bullpen and will look to earn another call-up later this season.
Jun 18 2023King (1-0) earned the win in Sunday's 11-7 win over the Blue Jays. He allowed one run on two walks while striking out two over 3.1 innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King nabbed his first win of the season Sunday, entering the game in the third frame after starter Jon Gray gave up six runs in 2.1 innings of work. He managed to put out the fire and held the Blue Jays hitless despite giving up a run. Since being called up from Triple-A in early May, King holds a 4.15 ERA and 1.54 WHIP to pair with 4.85 K/9 across 10 appearances (13 innings).
May 11 2023The Rangers recalled King from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ian Kennedy has been designated for assignment in a corresponding move. King will join the Texas bullpen ahead of Thursday's series opener against the Athletics after pitching to a 2.08 ERA through 17.1 innings this season at Triple-A.
Mar 29 2023The Rangers optioned King to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King had a rough go of it in the Cactus League with a 5.06 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB over 10.2 innings of work. The southpaw will begin the season in the Pacific Coast League, but he likely will see time in the Texas bullpen as an up-and-down option for the club for the 2023 campaign.
Sep 4 2022King was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 27-year-old was demoted to Triple-A on Aug. 18 but will rejoin the big-league club after Dallas Keuchel was designated for assignment. King has appeared in 31 games for the Rangers this year and has a 4.67 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB over 34.2 innings.
Aug 18 2022The Rangers optioned King to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King will lose his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the Texas bullpen after Matt Moore (personal) was reinstated from the bereavement list. During his week-long stay with Texas, King appeared in two games and gave up two earned runs on three hits while striking out two over 3.1 innings.
Aug 10 2022King was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The past few months have not been kind to King. He has a 4.70 ERA over his last five big league appearances. After being sent down to Triple-A, that number grew to 9.00 over 11 innings. King will rejoin the Rangers after they placed Spencer Howard (shoulder) on the 15-day IL retroactive to Monday.
Jul 6 2022King was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King has been a piece of Texas' bullpen all season but will now make his way to the minors. He has a 4.60 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB across 31.1 innings this season.
Jun 2 2022King allowed one run on two hits while striking out one in one inning of Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King, who's pitched well recently, came on in eighth inning to protect a one-run lead after starter Jon Gray's gem of an outing. Unfortunately, King blew the save -- the second eighth-inning blown save over his last three appearances -- and the Rangers lost in extras.
Jun 1 2022King struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning to earn the hold in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King followed up a dominant start by Martin Perez by pitching a perfect eighth inning. The hold was the sixth for King, who's scooped up three over the last six appearances. The left-hander has allowed a worrisome number of walks -- nine in 20 innings -- but he's avoided serious damage and pitched better during his recent six-game stretch. Five of those six outings have been scoreless and four have been perfect innings of relief.
May 11 2022King allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two over 1.2 scoreless innings in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King earned his second hold, but he allowed two inherited runners to score. The left-hander has managed to sidestep serious damage despite allowing 21 baserunners over 13.1 innings -- only two of his 13 appearances have been clean. King has a 2.70 ERA which stands in contrast to a 4.22 FIP.
Apr 15 2022King (1-0) allowed one walk over 1.1 relief innings to pick up the win over the Angels on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Starter Dane Dunning was pulled after eight outs and 86 pitches. The Rangers were coasting at the time with an 8-2 lead, but Dunning's inefficiency created a chance for King's first win of 2022. King, who worked as a multi-inning reliever in 2021, vultured seven wins out of the bullpen last season, when Texas starters often needed relief. The starting staff is off to a similar start this season (6.85 ERA, four innings per start), so guys like King could be needed often in middle innings. Mix in a potent offense (fourth in runs scored) and the recipe is there for more relief wins.
Mar 21 2022King (shoulder) is expected to be a full participant during the Rangers' spring camp, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King has yet to make his 2022 Cactus League debut, but that shouldn't be far away now that the Rangers are giving him full clearance after he underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in September. Though the track record of pitchers returning from the procedure isn't promising, King has apparently been free of setbacks in his recovery and should have a chance at making the Opening Day bullpen if he fares well in his spring outings. King still has three minor-league options remaining, so it wouldn't be too surprising if the Rangers took a cautious approach and sent him to Triple-A Round Rock to begin the season so he can attempt to regain form in a lower-pressure setting.
Sep 17 2021King will miss the remainder of the season after recently undergoing Thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King was initially sidelined in July with what was described as shoulder inflammation. It's now been revealed that he's dealing with Thoracic outlet syndrome, but the surgery should have him ready to go come spring training next February. King posted a 3.52 ERA and 40:12 K:BB across 46 innings this season, which should leave him as a candidate for high-leverage innings entering 2022.
Aug 20 2021King (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King has been out since early July with shoulder inflammation but was trending toward a return before suffering a setback in a rehab outing last week. Previous reports indicated he still had a chance to return before the end of August, but he's now ineligible to do so prior to Sept. 5.
Aug 19 2021King (shoulder) experienced renewed soreness following his second rehab appearance Aug. 13 at Triple-A Round Rock, but he's expected to return from the 10-day injured list before the Rangers' upcoming homestand concludes Sept. 1, MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Texas had been hopeful that King would be ready to return from the IL on Tuesday, but the setback during the rehab assignment derailed those plans. Ideally, King will make at least one more appearance in the minors with no renewed discomfort before reclaiming a spot in the Texas bullpen.
Aug 14 2021Texas manager Chris Woodward said King (shoulder) is expected to rejoin the team soon, Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King made a second rehab appearance Friday for Triple-A Round Rock, striking out two over a scoreless relief inning. He's made two one-inning appearances for the Express, which is a departure from his usage prior to the injury. King averaged nearly two innings per outing and had been gearing up to enter the rotation at the time of his injury.
Aug 11 2021King (shoulder) allowed one hit and one walk over a scoreless relief inning for Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King had been working as a multi-inning reliever and tandem starter with the Rangers before landing on the injured list July 9, retroactive to July 7, with left-shoulder inflammation. It's unclear if the Rangers want him to stretch out before returning to the majors or if he'll return immediately as a traditional reliever.
Aug 10 2021King (shoulder) is scheduled to appear out of the bullpen Tuesday in his rehab assignment at Triple-A Round Rock. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King moved his rehab to Triple-A over the weekend, but Round Rock opted to have him continue a throwing progression rather than integrating him into the pitching schedule right away. With King's inflamed left shoulder having apparently responded well to the workout, he'll now take the mound Tuesday in what could be the only tune-up outing he needs at Triple-A before rejoining the Rangers.
Aug 6 2021Manager Chris Woodward said that King (shoulder) will likely begin a rehab assignment Friday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Woodward noted that he was hoping for King to be activated Friday without first going on a rehab stint, but that proposal was vetoed by the team's medical staff. If King does indeed get a rehab appearance under his belt in the next few days, he seems likely to rejoin the Texas bullpen during the upcoming series in Seattle. The southpaw has been on the injured list since July 9 with inflammation in his throwing shoulder.
Jul 28 2021King (shoulder) is not expected to be traded to the Yankees and will remain with Texas, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King was originally reported to be traded along with Joey Gallo from the Rangers to the Yankees. However, he is not expected to be a part of a revised of the deal, with Joely Rodriguez instead being the bullpen arm on the move. King is working his way back from a shoulder injury that landed him on the injured list July 9 and should throw off a mound soon.
Jul 22 2021King (shoulder) could throw off a mound by this weekend, Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King began a throwing program this week, but the Rangers won't determine the next steps until they see him on the mound. The left-hander was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to the All-Star break while building up to become a starter.
Jul 17 2021King (shoulder) may begin a throwing program this weekend. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 7, but manager Chris Woodward said the pitcher will "maybe pick up a ball" by Saturday or Sunday. At the time of the IL-placement, the Rangers were hoping he'd return shortly after the All-Star break, but it looks unlikely King will be ready for the first post-break turn of the rotation. "All reports are that he feels good, his arm feels good," Woodward said. "But we won't know until he actually picks up a baseball and throws it." The left-hander has been working as a tandem starter along with Dane Dunning, but the goal is to build up his pitch count to the point where he could become a traditional starter.
Jul 9 2021King was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with left shoulder inflammation. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King last pitched Tuesday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk across two relief innings. Per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, the shoulder injury isn't thought to be serious, and the Rangers tentatively plan to activate King to pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen July 20 against Detroit.
Jul 2 2021King (6-5) allowed three runs (two earned) on one walk and struck out three over three-plus innings to pick up the win over Oakland on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King relieved starter Dane Dunning after four innings -- removing Dunning after four or five innings has been the norm for him in 2021 -- and provided bulk relief. For the second consecutive outing, King set down the first nine batters faced before tiring during a fourth inning of work. A hit batter, a walk and his own throwing error ended the left-hander's night. More runs were charged to King after he left the game. King is being stretched out for a possible starting role, but his high pitch count thus far is 55. The Rangers may like him as a tandem starter behind Dunning, whose innings are being managed this season.
Jun 26 2021King allowed two runs on three hits and struck out three over 3.2 innings of relief in Friday' 9-4 win over the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King worked three perfect innings and retired 11 straight before tiring while setting season highs for both number of pitches and innings. The Rangers are stretching out the left-hander to potentially fill a starting role, and he should get opportunities to increase his pitch count when working in tandem with starter Dane Dunning. The Rangers want to limit Dunning, who has thrown just 34 innings since 2018, so it's an ideal situation in which to build up King's stamina.
Jun 21 2021The Rangers are prepping King to potentially join the starting rotation, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King, who has been a starter in the minors, has served as a multi-inning reliever for the Rangers in 2021, including a three-inning, season-high 38-pitch effort against Minnesota on Saturday. "He's got multiple pitches. He's got good command. He can get through innings quickly because of his sinker. It made sense to us to see what that at least looks like going into the second half of the season and see what we've got," manager Chris Woodward said. The Rangers will likely push King's pitch count higher the next time out. It may make sense for Texas, losers in 19 of the last 22 games and 20 games below .500, to move on from veterans Mike Foltynewicz (5.59 ERA, 17 HR, 74 IP) and Jordan Lyles (5.68 ERA, 16 HR, 71.1 IP).
Jun 20 2021King (5-5) was tagged with the loss in relief Saturday against Minnesota. He gave up one run on two walks and a strikeout across three innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King was unable to hold up the 2-2 tie and gave up the deciding run in the top of the seventh after Max Kepler scored on a wild pitch. The left-hander has given up runs in three of his last four outings but still owns a decent 3.18 ERA across 11.1 innings this month (six appearances).
Jun 19 2021King will begin building up to pitch longer outings and possibly start games, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty will appear in relief Saturday and will begin pitching on a more regular schedule afterwards. Texas hopes King, who posted a 2.40 ERA in 19 minor-league starts in 2019, can provide some much-needed rotation depth.
Jun 6 2021King (5-4) was tagged with the loss in relief Sunday against the Rays after allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and a walk across one-third of an inning. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King entered the game in the top of the eighth inning but struggled badly, as he only retired one batter and gave up three of the seven runs the Rangers allowed. This outing ended a streak of four straight scoreless appearances and ballooned his ERA to 2.40, though that's still a solid figure for a pitcher that has hurled 30 innings across 21 appearances.
May 6 2021King (3-1) allowed two hits and struck out three over 2.2 scoreless innings to earn the win over Minnesota on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With Hyeon-Jong Yang making his first MLB start and not completely stretched out, the Rangers knew there would be a need for one of their relievers to tote a multi-inning load. King was that man Wednesday, coming in during the fourth inning to get out of a bases-loaded jam. He then authored two more frames for his third multi-inning outing in his last four appearances. He's been one of the Rangers' best relievers, posting a 1.13 ERA over 16 innings -- not bad for a guy who never pitched above High-A prior to 2020. The left-hander credits a move to the third-base side of the rubber and a new meditation process for his early-season success, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Apr 24 2021King (2-1) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the White Sox after giving up a run on three hits and a walk across 2.2 innings. He fanned one. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King was just one out away from sending the game to extra innings, but he allowed a game-winning double to Nick Madrigal that scored Luis Robert. The left-hander ended a streak of five scoreless appearances while pitching his longest outing of the season, but he continues to be one of the Rangers' most dependable arms out of the bullpen and owns a 1.69 ERA across 10.2 innings in eight appearances.
Apr 22 2021King (2-0) allowed two hits over one scoreless inning to pick up the win over the Angels on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King entered in the seventh inning with the Rangers in a 3-1 hole and was the pitcher of record when his offense put up crooked numbers in the eighth and ninth innings. The left-hander turned in his fifth straight scoreless outing, lowering his ERA to 1.13. He's walked one and allowed 12 hits over eight innings but has managed to pitch out of danger by keeping balls on the ground (65.4 GB%)
Apr 18 2021King (1-0) allowed one hit and struck out one in one inning to earn the extra-inning win Sunday versus the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King worked the 10th inning and earned the win when Nate Lowe hit a walkoff single to give the Rangers a 1-0 victory. Through seven innings, King has been a bit generous with baserunners -- he's allowed 10 hits and a walk, but only one earned run. He has a hold and a blown save, as well.
Apr 10 2021King allowed two hits and struck out four over two scoreless innings in Friday's 3-0 loss to the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King was the second-best pitcher in the game following San Diego's Joe Musgrove, who no-hit the Rangers. It was King's third appearance of the season and first that lasted more than three outs. All of his appearances have been in the middle innings, and King has allowed four runs (one earned) and six hits while striking out five over four innings.
Mar 25 2021King is projected to make the Rangers' bullpen, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: King, who made his MLB debut in 2020 despite never pitching above High-A, has allowed two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven over 7.1 Cactus League innings. The Rangers are hurting in the bullpen and dealing with injuries to Jose Leclerc (elbow) and Jonathan Hernandez (elbow). The relievers still standing do not have defined roles at this time, but King should land in a middle-relief role with the capability of contributing more than three outs.
Sep 4 2020King's contract was purchased by the Rangers on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 25-year-old will be making quite the jump, as he's yet to pitch above High-A. He posted a 2.03 ERA in 14 starts for High-A Down East last season, striking out 22.7 percent of batters while walking just 4.0 percent, but expectations should be modest for him this season given the jump in competition.