The Rangers have released Anthony Veneziano, a left-handed pitcher, from his minor league contract, allowing him to explore opportunities with an Asian team. This decision comes just four weeks after Veneziano signed with the Texas Rangers. As a non-roster player, the team respects his choice to pursue a guaranteed offer from a foreign club.
Veneziano, a 28-year-old veteran of three MLB seasons, began his career with the Royals in 2023, pitching 2 1/3 innings. He then split time between the Royals and Marlins in 2024, logging 13 1/3 innings, and last season, he pitched 25 innings for the Marlins and Cardinals. The Cardinals claimed him off the Marlins' waiver wire and later outrighted him from the 40-man roster, leading to his decision to become a minor league free agent.
His MLB career has been marked by a 3.98 ERA over 40 2/3 innings, with a 4.68 ERA in 2025. Veneziano's strikeout rate is respectable at 21.4%, but his walk rate in 2025 was high at 9.4%. Control has been a concern, as he walked more batters (20) than he struck out (18) in his Triple-A debut last season, resulting in a 5.11 ERA. Despite starting only one of his 40 Major League games, Veneziano has primarily been a reliever, transitioning to a bullpen role in 2024 and 2025.
By pursuing an overseas opportunity, Veneziano aims to enhance his starting prospects and secure additional financial stability beyond the minimum MLB salary. This move not only provides financial security but also presents an opportunity for him to showcase his skills on a global stage.
