which included an invitation to spring training. The Rangers were under new general management from Kennedy's former Royals teammate Chris Young. When Texas released their opening day roster on April 1, Kennedy and fellow spring training invitee Matt Bush were both named to the 25-man roster. The oldest member of the Rangers' bullpen by three years, Kennedy entered the season expecting to serve as the team's setup man, but a series of season-ending injuries to Bush, José Leclerc, and Jonathan Hernández forced the team to turn to Kennedy as their closer. By May, Kennedy had secured nine saves in nine attempts, giving the Rangers the most saves in the American League. As the season progressed, the Rangers rarely held leads late into games, and they had less use for Kennedy as a closer. At the start of June, he had a brief stint on the injured list for a strained hamstring. In his half-season with the Rangers, Kennedy posted a 2.51 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP in 32 appearances, while successfully converting 16 saves in 17 opportunities. Philadelphia Phillies (2021) Kennedy was part of a trade deadline package deal on July 30, 2021, that sent him, starting pitcher Kyle Gibson, prospect Hans Crouse, and cash considerations to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for pitcher Spencer Howard and prospects Kevin Gowdy and Josh Gessner. The Phillies, who had been struggling with both an unreliable bullpen and an injury-riddled starting rotation, acquired Kennedy hoping he would serve as a dependable closer. This allowed acting closer Ranger Suárez to join the rotation. Arizona Diamondbacks (second stint) On March 16, 2022, Kennedy signed a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2023 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kennedy made 57 appearances for the Diamondbacks in 2022, struggling to a 4-7 record and 5.36 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 50.1 innings pitched. Texas Rangers On January 27, 2023, Kennedy signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization. Pitching style Kennedy's primary pitch as a starter has always been his four-seam fastball, but he started to gain traction as the Diamondbacks' ace when he learned to selectively incorporate off-speed pitches like a two-seam fastball and a cutter into his repertoire. In 2018, his final year as a starting pitcher, Kennedy utilized five different pitches: a fastball with an average speed of , a curveball, an changeup, an cutter, and an slider. The mental care that