Rocky Mountain legend Marco Gonzales back in MLB after 2-year absence

Marco Gonzales is back in Major League Baseball.

The longtime pro snapped a long MLB absence on July 21 when he came in for a relief pitching appearance for the Texas Rangers.

Not only did it mark a significant return after a 2-year MLB absence for Gonzales, he also made a little personal history by recording his first career save.

The lefty came in and pitched the final three innings of a 10-0 win for Texas over the White Sox, which counts as a save. He allowed two hits, two walks, no runs and struck out two batters.

It's been a long road back to the majors for Gonzales. He last pitched in MLB on Aug. 7, 2024 with the Pirates before undergoing elbow surgery and missing the 2025 season. It's the second full season he has missed in his career due to injury (also 2016 due to surgery).

Gonzales signed a minor league deal with San Diego in February before being released by the Padres in June and signing shortly after with the Rangers on a minor league deal. He was then called up for the game July 21. He has an 8.16 ERA over 64 minor league innings pitched this season.

Gonzales was the winning pitcher in four straight state title games for Rocky Mountain from 2007 to 2010, the only player in Colorado history to accomplish the feat.

After high school, Gonzales starred at Gonzaga University and after three seasons with the Bulldogs he was picked 19th overall by the Cardinals in the 2013 draft.

The 34-year-old Gonzales made his MLB debut in 2014 and has appeared in 171 MLB games, mostly as a starter. He's 66-50 with a 4.14 career ERA. Gonzales has now pitched in MLB with St. Louis, Seattle, Pittsburgh and Texas.

Sports reporter Kevin Lytle can be found on social media on X, Instagram and Threads @Kevin_Lytle and on Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Rocky Mountain legend Marco Gonzales back in MLB after 2-year absence