Holland cleared waivers and declined an outright assignment to become a free agent Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Holland was designated for assignment Tuesday by the Rangers and will now be searching for a new team. After signing a minor-league deal with Texas in the offseason, he managed to make the Opening Day roster and was in the conversation to pick up save chances. However, Holland struggled in the opening weeks of the campaign, surrendering four earned runs across 4.2 innings.

Holland was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

After Holland converted his minor-league deal into an Opening Day roster spot, there was some speculation that his 220 career saves would earn him Texas' wide-open closer role. Nobody on the Rangers has a save through nine games, and it won't be Holland who gets the first one, as he's been cast aside after allowing five runs (four earned) in 4.2 innings to start the season. His 5:1 K:BB is perfectly respectable, but he also allowed three homers. The 36-year-old's long track record could help him earn a roster spot elsewhere, but his days as a high-leverage arm may be over. Jon Gray (finger) returned from the injured list to take his place on the roster.

Holland allowed one walk and struck out one over a scoreless fifth inning in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Holland authored his first scoreless outing among three appearances. Being deployed in the fifth inning was notable, since manager Chris Woodward talked about using Holland to close out games. His previous two outings have come in the eighth and 10th inning. The veteran reliever has given up two runs, three hits and a walk while fanning four over three innings. At this point, it's hard to get a read on the roles in the Rangers' bullpen.

Holland (0-1) was saddled with the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out one over one relief inning in Monday's 6-4 extra-inning defeat to the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

This was Holland's second appearance, and he's given up runs in each. He was called on to open the 10th inning and let the ghost runner score on a single, then gave up a solo home run to Connor Joe. Holland is in the mix for saves, but the Rangers have not yet had a situation that called for a closer. When the first one arises, there may not be much to learn. Texas manager Chris Woodward will likely play matchups, so how he deploys late-game staff may need to be gleaned over multiple save situations.

Holland's contract was selected by the Rangers on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Holland served as a non-roster invitee this spring but was recently informed that he would be part of the team's Opening Day bullpen. The right-hander tossed five scoreless innings this spring and will have a chance to carve out closing duties to begin the 2022 campaign since the Rangers have a lack of compelling options for ninth-inning work.

Holland will be on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Holland joined the team as a non-roster invitee, and his roster status remained unclear in recent days. It appears he's made the squad after tossing five scoreless innings this spring, and he has a legitimate chance to serve as the team's closer. He's recorded ERAs north of 4.50 in three of the last four seasons, so he wouldn't close for many other teams, but the Rangers lack compelling alternatives and could turn to the veteran with 220 career saves due to his familiarity with the role.

Holland and Spencer Patton were not one of the 10 relievers identified as making the Opening Day roster, per independent baseball journalist Jeff Wilson.

EDGE Analysis

Wilson's reporting includes 10 names, while Kennedi Landry of MLB.com identifies only nine that will break camp -- her list does not include Brett Martin. In addition to variance in count of relievers, manager Chris Woodward alluded to the possibility of another spot opening up due to an injured list stint but did not specify beyond that. Holland and Patton, both of whom were mentioned by Woodward last week as candidates for saves, could be added to the roster before Opening Day.

Holland struck out two over a scoreless inning in Friday's spring training game against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

This was Holland's fourth scoreless outing in the Cactus League and first appearance since Texas manager Chris Woodward lumped him in with others that could close games in 2022. First, the non-roster invitee needs break camp with the Rangers, and the right-handed reliever has pitched well enough. He's allowed four hits and one walk while striking out four over four innings. Woodward also mentioned Spencer Patton and Matt Bush as closer candidates, although Joe Barlow, who saved 11 of 12 chances in 2021, still lurks.

Holland is a dark-horse candidate for saves, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Chris Woodward is apparently hesitant to enter the year with Joe Barlow back in the closer's role, according to Landry's report. This leaves Spencer Patton, Holland and Matt Bush as potential replacement options for the ninth.

Holland signed a minor-league contract with Texas on Wednesday that includes an invite to big-league camp.

EDGE Analysis

Holland posted a 1.91 ERA during the shortened campaign in 2020 but struggled in 2021 with a 4.85 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 53:26 K:BB across 55.2 innings. The veteran right-hander need to illustrate in spring training that he's worthy of a spot on Texas' Opening Day roster.