Rangers notes: Banister still getting a feel for Rangers’ bullpen
Texas Rangers first-year manager Jeff Banister is still getting to know his bullpen pitchers. With camp winding down, he’s beginning to have a better idea of what he can expect from these arms while he and his staff try to whittle the roster to 25.
Of those 25, seven will be in the bullpen. Two of those are already known: Closer Neftali Feliz and set-up man Tanner Scheppers. Shawn Tolleson expects to be in the bullpen when the season starts April 6, but a sore forearm has set him back a bit.
The other four? They’re most likely pitching in Saturday’s game against the Padres.
Jon Edwards will start, followed by, in no particular order, Kyuji Fujikawa, Jamey Wright, Keone Kela, Feliz, Alex Claudio, Roman Mendez and Scheppers.
Edwards, who went to Keller High School, will pitch two innings. Banister wants to see Edwards pitch against major league hitters with runners on base and also see how he handles a multi-inning situation.
“Jon Edwards has had a tremendous camp,” Banister said.
Scheppers was impressive with his velocity Thursday but was tagged for three runs on three hits despite collecting three strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning. A wild-pitch strike three helped extend a wild ninth inning when the Rockies scored three times.
Scheppers has been slowed this spring with an ankle injury, but Banister expects him to finish with about 10 to 11 innings, just a few short of a typical spring load for a reliever.
“I expect him to pitch significant innings in the back end of the game,” he said. “I look for Tanner to be one of those guys with Nefty, out there to lock down the game, help us win the games we’re supposed to win. I feel confident that he’s going to be ready.”
Another setback
Right-hander Ross Ohlendorf aggravated his right groin during an inning of work Thursday night. Ohlendorf, who is expected to earn a spot as a fifth starter or a long reliever out of the bullpen has been dealing with the issue for more than a week. He did not throw or do any baseball activity before being re-evaluated by team physician Dr. Keith Meister on Friday afternoon.
Ohlendorf struck out two and didn’t allow a hit in his one inning Thursday against the Rockies. He was scheduled to pitch two innings. His fastball was clocked at 95-97 mph throughout his 14 pitches. Ohlendorf hasn’t allowed an earned run in five innings this spring. He has 11 strikeouts and surrendered only one hit.
Choo close
Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo (sore left triceps) played in Friday’s game as the designated hitter and is expected to play right field in a game this weekend. He threw from 120 feet Friday morning.
Minor releases
The Rangers released five players from minor league camp Friday morning: RHP Ryan Bores, OF Saquan Johnson, INF Nick Urbanus, INF Nick Vickerson and C Fernando Vivili.
Gallardo tune-up
Opening Day starter Yovani Gallardo allowed only one hit in six scoreless innings in a minor league game against San Diego’s High A team. The Fort Worth resident walked none and struck out eight.
Wilson returns
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson will work out with the Rangers Saturday in Surprise and be in uniform for their 3 p.m. game against the Padres. Wilson worked out with the team early in last year’s spring training after leading Seattle to a Super Bowl win. Wilson was acquired by the Rangers from the Rockies in the Triple A part of the Rule 5 draft in December 2013.
Stefan Stevenson
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Twitter: @StevensonFWST
This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 7:56 PM with the headline "Rangers notes: Banister still getting a feel for Rangers’ bullpen."