Pitching coach leaves Texas’ Jacob deGrom for AL West rival

Mike Madduk was a key part Texas Rangers during most important moments in franchise historybut he did ready for a new beginning in his career. The longtime pitching coach is moving into the Los Angeles Angels to serve in the same spot, according to Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports. He is finishing his second stint with the Arlington-based club after helping him to MLB’s No. 1 ERA (3.47) during the 2025 season.

Organization tried to hold back Madduk, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, but will leave after working under outgoing manager Bruce Bochy for the past three years.

Madduk, the older brother of Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Madduk, originally joined the Rangers in 2009 and made his first World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. He oversaw a staff that posted a top-half ERA during that stretch. The club parted ways with the former MLB right-hander in 2015, but returned to Texas when Bochy was signed in 2023. What would follow was the pinnacle of Madduck’s career and the pinnacle of this organization.

When the Rangers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks to win their first championship in history, many people understandably lit up the high-powered offense. Make no mistake, Madduk was instrumental in the team finally reaching the pinnacle of the sport.

Nathan Eovaldi and Jordan Montgomery were excellent, and Josh Sborz was virtually unstoppable in the bullpen during the playoffs. Texas is now immortalized in MLB history.

Pitching has become the central identity of the team this year. Eovaldi was one of the best starters in baseball when healthy and Jacob deGrom revived his career after suffering injury problems in his first two years with the Rangers. Additionally, former No. 2 overall pick Jack Leiter came of age and veteran Patrick Corbin posted an ERA below 4.50 for the first time since 2019. It’s easy to see why management tried to keep Mike Maddux.

Moving forward, Texas will rely on its talent and the foundation the 64-year-old helped lay at Globe Life Field. The Angels, after finishing last in the American League in ERA (4.89), are desperately hoping Madduck can cure Anaheim’s longtime pitching plague.