ARLINGTON -- In signing right-handed reliever Zach McAllister, the Texas Rangers hope he can return to a previous high level of performance.
From 2015-17, McAllister was an effective reliever with Cleveland. He was 9-8 with a 2.99 ERA and had more strikeouts than innings: 204-183 1/3.
It all fell apart last season. McAllister was 1-2 with a 6.20 ERA in 45 innings. Cleveland released him, and he took free agency after being designated for assignment by Detroit. McAllister finished the season with the Los Angeles Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate.
The difference stemmed from one specific situation. McAllister made a long series of bad pitches with two strikes in a count.