ARLINGTON, Texas — Kumar Rocker will start Wednesday against the Washington Nationals in the spot that would have been Jacob deGrom‘s normal turn. Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said deGrom has a chance to start Thursday’s series finale.
Texas was idle Monday, which pushed deGrom’s turn to Wednesday. He threw a bullpen session Tuesday at Globe Life Field.
Schumaker said Tuesday the Rangers had not yet settled on a Wednesday starter.
“It went well,” Schumaker said of the bullpen session. “I just don’t want to give any false impressions. And then we’ll go from there.”
DeGrom lasted 2 innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 13. He worked out of a jam in the first, then gave up 2 runs and 5 hits across a 32-pitch second in a 7-0 loss. Right triceps fatigue ended his night. He had been managing a left hip and glute injury since the All-Star break.
Rocker is 4-9 with a 4.50 ERA. He has 106 strikeouts and a 1.40 WHIP. Washington counters with Cade Cavalli, who is 10-5 with a 3.36 ERA, 151 strikeouts, and a 1.24 WHIP.
The Texas Rangers Rotation Without Nathan Eovaldi
Since Nathan Eovaldi landed on the 15-day injured list with right posterior elbow inflammation, retroactive to Aug. 9, Texas has set its rotation a day at a time.
Cal Quantrill moved into Eovaldi’s spot on Aug. 10. He threw 7 scoreless innings Tuesday in a 5-0 win over the Nationals, giving up 4 hits and walking none. In 26 appearances this season Quantrill has made 17 relief outings and 9 starts.
Texas is 62-64 and second in the American League West. The Rangers have 36 games left, and after Thursday they host the Angels for three from Aug. 21-23.
Jack Leiter’s Second Rehab Start Comes Thursday
Jack Leiter makes his second rehab start Thursday for Double-A Frisco, according to The Dallas Morning News. He is expected to push toward 4 innings and 60 to 65 pitches.
Ankle surgery has kept Leiter out since June 19. He threw 48 pitches over 2 2/3 innings in his first rehab outing last Thursday.
“I’m just kind of taking it one day at a time and allowing the body to continue to heal and respond,” Leiter said. “[The ankle] is not moving how it does ideally, but it’s moving in a way that creates a lot of good major league-quality pitches.”
Texas has discussed bringing Leiter back as a reliever, which would cut the rehab short. The rotation is the thinner spot with Eovaldi out.
First pitch Wednesday is 7:05 p.m. CT at Globe Life Field on Rangers Sports Network.
