ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Texas Rangers will start Jacob deGrom in Thursday’s series finale against the Los Angeles Angels, giving Texas one confirmed piece of a rotation that remains unsettled beyond Anaheim.
First pitch at Angel Stadium is set for 9:07 p.m. CT. deGrom will work on normal rest after his last start came Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles, when he allowed 1 earned run on 3 hits over 5 innings in a 5-1 win at Globe Life Field. He walked 1 and struck out 9.
Through 22 starts this season, deGrom is 8-7 with a 3.87 ERA, 144 strikeouts, and 30 walks across 118 2/3 innings. His WHIP sits at 1.129.
Texas entered the four-game series in Anaheim with only Monday’s starter announced. The rotation has been handled one day at a time since Nathan Eovaldi went on the 15-day injured list with right posterior elbow inflammation, retroactive to Aug. 9.
Rangers Rotation Still Open For Athletics Series
The Rangers have not announced starters for their three-game series against the Athletics, although the current rotation would line up on normal rest.
Kumar Rocker would be in line for Friday. He allowed 6 runs on 7 hits over 3 innings Sunday against Baltimore, walking 2 and striking out 5 in a 10-5 loss. Rocker is 4-9 with a 4.46 ERA through 22 appearances, including 20 starts, with 103 strikeouts and 42 walks in 111 innings.
Those 111 innings are already the most Rocker has thrown in a major league season. He worked 64 1/3 innings over 14 games in 2025.
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young has said the club could monitor Rocker’s workload and move to protect his innings if needed, especially with other pitchers getting closer to returning. Jack Leiter, who is on the injured list after ankle surgery, is expected to begin a rehab assignment this week.
MacKenzie Gore, Cody Bradford Could Follow
MacKenzie Gore would line up for Saturday after starting Monday’s series opener in Anaheim. Gore allowed 1 earned run on 4 hits over 5 1/3 innings, walking 2 and striking out 9 in Texas’ 4-1 win in 10 innings.
The only run against him came on a first-inning home run by Mike Trout. Gore had been reinstated from the paternity list Saturday and is 6-9 with a 4.43 ERA through 25 starts, with 149 strikeouts in 134 innings.
Cody Bradford would fall on Sunday if Texas keeps the rotation in order. Bradford took the loss Tuesday despite pitching 7 innings and allowing 3 earned runs in a 3-2 defeat.
The left-hander made his first major league start since 2024 last week against the San Francisco Giants. Through two starts, Bradford is 0-1 with a 2.38 ERA, allowing 10 hits and 3 earned runs with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings.
Jordan Montgomery gives Texas another option. Montgomery has appeared once this season, working 4 innings in relief Sunday against Baltimore and allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.
Cal Quantrill started Wednesday night in Anaheim, his eighth start among 24 appearances.
Texas Rangers Face Busy Stretch After Road Trip
Texas gets Monday off after the Athletics series before beginning a nine-game stretch in nine days.
The Rangers return to Globe Life Field for three games against the Washington Nationals from Aug. 18-20, followed by three against the Angels from Aug. 21-23. Texas then goes back on the road for three games against the Chicago White Sox from Aug. 24-26.
The Rangers enter Thursday at 60-60 and second in the American League West, one game behind the Houston Astros.
Friday’s opener against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento is set for 8:40 p.m. CT. Saturday also starts at 8:40 p.m. CT, with Sunday’s finale scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CT.
