Danny Coulombe Injury Rocks Texas Rangers’ Playoff Hopes: Can the Bullpen Survive Without Its Veteran Arm?

The Texas Rangers are staring down a nightmare scenario just as the playoff race reaches a boiling point. Danny Coulombe, the veteran left-hander acquired from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline, has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder strain. For a bullpen already stretched thin, the loss of Coulombe couldn’t have come at a worse time — and the Rangers’ October dreams now hang in the balance.

From Dominant Twin to Struggling Ranger

Few relievers in baseball were as lights-out as Danny Coulombe during the first half of the 2025 season. With the Minnesota Twins, the 35-year-old was nearly unhittable, carving through lineups with a cutter-sinker-sweeper combo that left hitters guessing. He opened the year with 16 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings and finished his Twins stint with just four earned runs allowed, 31 strikeouts, and nine walks in 31 innings.

When the Rangers landed Coulombe at the deadline in exchange for lefty prospect Garrett Horn, it was seen as a savvy, win-now move by Texas. Coulombe wasn’t just another arm — he was expected to be a stabilizing veteran presence in a bullpen searching for reliability.

But since putting on a Rangers uniform, the magic has faded. Coulombe has allowed seven earned runs in just 8 1/3 innings with Texas. His most painful outing came against the Los Angeles Angels on August 26 at Globe Life Field, where he recorded just one out and gave up three runs on three hits — including two home runs. What was supposed to be a cornerstone piece of the bullpen has suddenly turned into a liability.

Now, with his right shoulder barking, Coulombe will be sidelined until at least September 16. Whether he returns to his Twins-level dominance or continues to struggle could determine the Rangers’ postseason fate.

The Playoff Race Heats Up

The timing couldn’t be worse. The Rangers are clinging to life in the American League Wild Card race, sitting just half a game behind the Seattle Mariners for the final playoff spot with a 73-69 record. They’re also chasing the Houston Astros and face a brutal stretch of must-win games down the stretch. Every bullpen meltdown could be the difference between playing baseball in October or packing up for winter.

Losing Coulombe isn’t just about one reliever — it’s about losing stability in the highest-leverage innings. Manager Bruce Bochy now has to lean on younger arms and hope someone steps up to fill the void.

Enter Cole Winn: The X-Factor

As a corresponding move, the Rangers reinstated Cole Winn from the injured list. The 25-year-old has been electric this season, posting a 1.45 ERA over 31 innings and striking out batters with a filthy slider and splitter combo. Winn has the talent to thrive, but the question is whether he’s ready to shoulder the pressure of a playoff race.

For Bochy, it’s not just about replacing Coulombe — it’s about reshuffling the entire bullpen hierarchy. Who gets the seventh? The eighth? And if things get dicey, who do you trust with the ball when the season is on the line?

Could a Return to Minnesota Be Next?

The irony of Coulombe’s situation isn’t lost on fans. The lefty has had two previous stints with the Twins and could be headed back for a third next year. His struggles in Texas, combined with his recent injury, mean his next contract won’t carry the same value it might have just two months ago. With the Twins desperate to rebuild their bullpen, a one-year reunion seems like more than just a possibility.

But for now, Texas fans don’t want to think about 2026. They want Coulombe back in time to salvage this season. His veteran presence, when healthy and sharp, is the kind of difference-maker who can lock down the late innings in October.

The Harsh Reality for Texas

The Rangers have already battled adversity this year, from injuries to stars like Corey Seager and Adolis García to inconsistent starting pitching. Now, losing Danny Coulombe right when the Wild Card race is reaching its climax feels like another gut punch.

Still, Bochy’s Rangers aren’t out of it yet. If Cole Winn continues to dominate, and if Coulombe can return healthy and effective by mid-September, Texas could enter the postseason with a dangerous bullpen mix of youth and experience.

But if Coulombe doesn’t come back strong? The Rangers’ October dreams could end before they even begin.

For a franchise chasing its first World Series title since 2023, the next few weeks may decide everything.