Nick

Goody

Goody began this season in the Yankees organization before opting out to join the Triple-A affiliate of the Nationals. Now he’s back in Scranton. The 30-year-old right-hander hasn’t appeared in a major league game since September 2020.

The right-hander celebrated his 30th birthday on Tuesday by inking a minor league deal. Goody was released from his minor league contract with the Yankees on Sunday after registering a 2.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 31/7 K/BB ratio across 22 innings. Given how well he was pitching there, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get a big league shot with the Nats relatively quickly.

Goody was pushed off the Rangers’ roster last September after allowing 12 runs -- 11 earned -- over 11 innings of work during the 2020 regular season. He’ll be organizational relief depth for New York.

Goody really struggled for the Rangers on the year, and gets the DFA after posting an ERA of 9.00 in 17 appearances and 11 innings. The right-hander has had levels of varying success, and could see some interest on the waiver wire.

Goody had been out with lower back spasms. He’ll slide back into a middle relief role.

A decision on whether to put him on the injured list will come soon. “I think we are going to give it another 24 hours,” manager Chris Woodward said. “If he is not better, we might consider something. He was pretty sore [Saturday]. It’s a really stiff back.” Goody picked up a save for the Rangers late last month, but the closer role has since been seized by Rafael Montero.

“I trust all those guys,” Woodward said. “If we do this right, we can get creative. All our guys are on board. They are all excited about it. They are going to pitch in situations they haven’t in the past, and we are going to learn a lot about our guys.” Nick Goody got the save Wednesday, but Woodward indicated that was more about matchups than anything. He also mentioned Edinson Volquez and Jonathan Hernandez when discussing the job. Given that none of these names elicit much excitement anyway, it might be a situation to avoid altogether for the time being.

It’s the same injury that sent Corey Kluber to the IL, although the Rangers say Leclerc’s strain isn’t as bad. Still, he will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection and be shut down for about four weeks, so the odds that he’ll make it back before the end of the season aren’t great. Nick Goody picked up a save Wednesday with Leclerc unavailable and is worth a speculative add in fantasy leagues. Jesse Chavez and Jonathan Hernandez are also possibilities.

The Rangers say Leclerc will be re-evaluated Thursday. Nick Goody picked up the save in Leclerc’s absence and could be in the mix to close should Leclerc need to miss some time. Jesse Chavez is also a possibility.

Jose Leclerc had some right shoulder tightness while warming up, so the Rangers elected to give Goody a shot. He was sharp, getting a strikeout and a couple groundouts to lock down the win. Goody is a journeyman who was claimed off waivers by the Rangers over the winter, so he wouldn’t seem to be the natural assumption to take over the closer job if Leclerc misses time. However, he does miss some bats and looked good in this one, so it’s fair to speculate on him. Jesse Chavez could also be an option.