The thought of Jose Leclerc being on the Texas Rangers’ Opening Day roster this season seemed pretty far-fetched before spring training opened.
Even as camp neared its end, with Leclerc pitching as well as any other reliever after struggling to finish out 2017, the chances seemed remote.
And when he was sent down in April despite having a 0.00 ERA just to create a roster spot, it didn’t register as a great injustice.
All Leclerc has done since his return to the Rangers’ bullpen is prove all those who doubted him wildly wrong. He was the Rangers’ best reliever before closer Keone Kela was traded and has only gotten better.