The Texas Rangers have announced that Kumar Rocker will be the starting pitcher for Sunday’s game against the Chicago White Sox. This game, set to begin at 1:35 p.m., will see Rocker (1-4, 8.77 ERA) facing Aaron Civale (1-2, 4.91 ERA), who was recently traded to the White Sox from the Milwaukee Brewers after expressing his objection to being moved to the bullpen.
Roster Changes Ahead for Rocker’s Promotion
Rocker’s promotion to the starting role means the Rangers will need to make a move on their 26-man roster. It’s expected that Tyler Mahle will be moved to the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder tightness. Mahle had reported discomfort after his most recent start on Tuesday and was initially expected to pitch again on Tuesday against Kansas City.
Rangers’ Pitching Plan Adjusted After Saturday’s Win
The Rangers’ original plan for the series was to pitch bullpen games on Friday and Sunday, with Friday’s game going according to plan. Jacob deGrom started on Saturday and delivered a solid six-inning performance, but the bullpen was heavily used after his start. The bullpen had to pitch five more innings, including Jacob Latz, who was originally the planned starter for Sunday’s bullpen game.
After the 11-inning, 5-4 win over the White Sox on Saturday, the Rangers decided to go with Rocker as the starter for Sunday. Manager Bruce Bochy confirmed that while the bullpen had been taxed, the staff was discussing the best option for Sunday’s game.
Rocker’s Performance and Potential at the Major League Level
Rocker was in Arlington on Saturday but was not active for the game. His last start was on June 4 in Tampa Bay, where he took the loss after allowing five earned runs in 3.1 innings. Despite the tough outing, Rocker has shown promise in the minor leagues. His most recent start for Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday was solid, with four innings pitched, three hits allowed, and only one earned run.
Though Rocker has struggled at the major league level this season, he has been effective at Triple-A and has posted strong performances at Globe Life Field, where he holds a 1-0 record, with nine strikeouts and 12 innings pitched.
Rocker’s start represents an important opportunity for him to prove his worth at the Major League level. With his strong minor league performances and previous success at Globe Life Field, fans will be watching closely to see if he can replicate that form in Sunday’s game.
The Rangers’ pitching staff is already stretched thin, so Rocker will need to deliver a strong outing to keep the team in the game.
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