Rangers sign free agent LHP Hoby Milner to one-year Major League contract

Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers today announced that the club has signed left-handed pitcher Hoby Milner to a one-year Major League contract covering the 2025 season. To make room for Milner on the club’s Major League roster, right-handed pitcher Owen White has been designated for assignment.

Milner, who turns 34 on January 13, went 5-1 with a 4.73 ERA (34 ER/64.2 IP) in 61 games/one start for Milwaukee last season, ranking among Brewers relievers in strikeouts (T1st, 62), appearances (2nd, 60), and strikeout to walk ratio (2nd, 4.43). He posted a 1.66 ERA (4 ER/21.2 IP) over his first 22 games in 2024. The southpaw made his first career start – and lone start to date – on June 25 vs. Texas at American Family Field (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R-ER, 0 BB, 2 SO), in an ‘opener’ role.

The Fort Worth native carries a career 10-5 record, one save, and 3.82 ERA (115 ER/271.0 IP) over 294 Major League games/one start with Philadelphia (2017-18), Tampa Bay (2018-19), Los Angeles-AL (2020), and Milwaukee (2021-24). In 2023, Milner’s team-leading 73 appearances set a career high and ranked 4th in the National League, while his 1.82 ERA (13 ER/64.1 IP) ranked 5th among qualified N.L. relievers. He made his postseason debut in the 2023 N.L. Wild Card Series vs. Arizona, totaling 2.1 scoreless innings of relief.

Since 2022, Milner’s 201 appearances are the 2nd most in MLB among left-handed pitchers to only Miami/San Diego’s Tanner Scott (213). He also ranks among MLB left-handed relievers over the last three seasons in WHIP (5th, 1.110) and home runs allowed per 9.0 (7th, 0.74).

The 6-foot-3 left-hander was originally selected by Philadelphia in the 7th round of the 2012 MLB Draft following a two-year collegiate career at the University of Texas. Milner prepped at Robert L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth. His father, Brian, was selected by Toronto in the 1978 MLB Draft and had a brief Major League career before serving as a hitting coach in the Yankees organization (1991-95) and scout for the Cubs (1996-2007).

The Rangers have seven days to trade, release, or outright White to the minor leagues. The 25-year-old has made 5 relief appearances with the Rangers in 2023-24, his only Major League action to date. White was originally selected by Texas in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft.

With today’s transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the club’s Major League roster.