Rangers’ Pitching Conundrum
For the second time in a week, the Rangers found themselves in a pinch for a starting pitcher. And for the second time in a week, their choice was “not Kumar Rocker.”
While Jacob Latz started Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels, Rocker remained in Arizona where he is working on some tweaks to some inconsistencies that have appeared in his delivery recently. In short, the Rangers would like to get his arm slot up a little higher to allow for more life on his pitches.
The Reason Behind Rocker’s Demotion
When the Rangers made the announcement that Nathan Eovaldi had a rotator cuff strain and would likely miss the remainder of the regular season, President of Baseball Operations Chris Young said he wanted to see Rocker again in the majors this season, but wanted him to first complete the projects he’s working on in Arizona.
“We want to optimize his mechanics to get the best version of him,” Young said Wednesday. “We want to take stress off his arm and improve the quality of his pitches.”
Rocker’s Current Status
Rocker, 25, last pitched in the majors on July 31 at Seattle, was sent down the next day after trade-acquisition Merrill Kelly joined the team and made a start at Triple-A Round Rock on Aug. 7. He has not pitched in a game since then.
Rocker, who had been optioned twice earlier in the season, was sent down after allowing 5.11 ERA in a stretch of five starts totaling 24 ⅔ innings. During that stretch, he allowed six homers and an .822 OPS. In his one start at Round Rock, he gave up five runs on nine hits in 5 ⅔ innings.
Exploring External Options
The Rangers were open to possibly taking a longer look at Latz for the rotation spot, but both Young and manager Bruce Bochy said the club would also look at external options. One possibility: former Ranger Andrew Heaney, who was DFA’d by Pittsburgh earlier this week. That situation should be resolved by the weekend.
The Rangers are only likely to sign Heaney if he clears waivers and is released. As such, they would only owe him about $120,000 (a pro-rated fraction of the major league minimum). If they were to claim him off waivers, they would be obligated for the remainder of his $5 million deal, which comes to about $800,000. They would also have to pay a surcharge on that based on whether or not they end up above the $241 million luxury tax threshold.
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Conclusion
The Rangers’ pitching situation is complex, with several factors at play. While Rocker works on his mechanics in Arizona, the team is exploring external options to fill the rotation spot. With the season nearing its end, the Rangers must make the right decisions to ensure a strong finish.
FAQs
Q: Why was Kumar Rocker sent down to Arizona?
A: Rocker was sent down to work on some tweaks to his delivery, specifically to get his arm slot up higher to allow for more life on his pitches.
Q: Who is a possible external option for the Rangers’ rotation spot?
A: Former Ranger Andrew Heaney, who was DFA’d by Pittsburgh earlier this week, is a possible option.
Q: What is the latest on Nathan Eovaldi’s injury?
A: Eovaldi has a rotator cuff strain and is likely to miss the remainder of the regular season.
