Minor league pitcher Josh Hejka has signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, bringing an intriguing twist to his career linked through a social media exchange with ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Exactly one year after Hejka playfully tagged Passan on X (formerly Twitter) in reference to his 2025 trade, Passan reported on Hejka’s recent signing with the Rangers by revisiting that earlier post, making the deal a full-circle moment. This development highlights Josh Hejka Texas Rangers as a noteworthy matchup of sport, media, and social interaction.
Hejka originally referenced his trade on February 5, 2025, when the New York Mets sent him to the Philadelphia Phillies. The trade was unusual since Philadelphia did not exchange any players but included financial considerations instead. Hejka’s original jab at Passan pointed out that the transaction was not significant enough to warrant coverage from the high-profile reporter. Similarly, the pitcher’s signing with Texas, another minor league deal, might be seen as a routine move, giving Passan’s witty callback extra impact.
Examining the Rangers’ New Submarine-Style Reliever
The Texas Rangers have now added Josh Hejka, a right-handed reliever with a distinct pitching style and appearance. Known for an extremely low arm slot, Hejka’s delivery earned him the label of a “submariner” by Jeff Passan. He also wears vintage Rec Specs sports goggles, contributing to his quirky reputation among relievers, a group already known for unconventional looks and styles. His unique looks and motion made him a perfect target for social media humor following Passan’s coverage of his new contract.
https://t.co/mHUz5NDsMV pic.twitter.com/O5Atu9KWNC
— Josh Hejka (@hedgertronic) February 5, 2026
Hejka’s recent professional trajectory has had its ups and downs. The Texas Rangers acquired him after he was released by the Jersey Shore BlueClaws in July 2025. In the 2025 season, Hejka pitched 28.2 innings over 27 appearances within the Phillies’ minor league system at High-A and Double-A levels but struggled with a 6.28 ERA. Despite these challenges, the Rangers saw value in adding him to their organization’s pitching depth.
Hejka’s baseball journey began when the Mets signed him as a minor league free agent after his strong collegiate career at Johns Hopkins University. His debut professional season was impressive, posting a 1.33 ERA over 20.1 innings at the lowest minor league levels. Although the 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the pandemic, Hejka moved steadily through the Mets’ system, reaching Triple-A by the end of 2021.
However, 2022 was a difficult year when Hejka’s ERA at varying minor league levels rose to 4.70, including a tough stint at Triple-A. He missed the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery, a common but significant procedure for pitchers, impeding his progress. Returning in 2024, he appeared in 38 minor league games but was unable to replicate his earlier success, with a strikeout rate slipping to 19%, one of the lowest in his career.
Combining Playing With Analytical Work in Baseball Development
Beyond playing, Hejka has also prepared for life after his active baseball career. Since 2022, he has worked as a research and development analyst at Driveline Baseball, a well-known training facility that frequently draws attention for enhancing player performance and producing staff who move into major league roles. As MLB teams increasingly rely on data and biomechanics, Hejka’s dual experience as a player and analyst positions him well in the evolving landscape of professional baseball.
On his LinkedIn profile, Hejka highlights specific skills, including “throwing strikes” and “rising siders,” reflecting his pitching focus. Whether his ongoing work at Driveline Baseball and continued competition in the minors will lead to a breakthrough with the Rangers is yet to be seen, but the connection with Jeff Passan and the full-circle nature of this new deal certainly adds an unusual chapter to his baseball story.
Right-handed submariner Josh Hejka and the Texas Rangers are in agreement on a minor league contract, a source tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/gLWNvnnQk1
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 5, 2026
https://t.co/mHUz5NDsMV pic.twitter.com/O5Atu9KWNC
— Josh Hejka (@hedgertronic) February 5, 2026
