Here’s what the Rangers are planning for the rotation after sending Smyly to the bullpen
Drew Smyly is out of the Texas Rangers’ rotation.
Manager Chris Woodward made the announcement Wednesday afternoon and said the Rangers will go with a bullpen day Friday in the opener of a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds.
The door isn’t entirely shut on Smyly starting again this season for the Rangers, but they decided the left-hander needed more than just one more start to turn his season around.
He has an 8.40 ERA after allowing 19 runs in his past three starts, spanning 11 1/3 innings.
“It just, honestly, alleviates some of the stress of having to go through it again,” Woodward said. “Would another start have helped? Maybe. Maybe it would have allowed him another chance to test out what he’s been working on, but we’ll put him in the bullpen.
“I’m not giving up on the fact that he can start, but I think it’s better to do it in smaller samples. I did like what I saw last time and I’d like to see a little bit of success to help him snowball some confidence.”
Woodward said that the Rangers won’t select a starter for Friday until wrapping up the four-game series against the Boston Red Sox. A starter will be added to fill the spot next week.
Joe Palumbo, who was recalled Saturday from Double A Frisco to make his MLB debut, would seem to be the favorite. Another Frisco starter, Jonathan Hernandez, is also on the 40-man roster and could be in the mix.
Woodward said the Rangers will not place Smyly on the injured list because of his ankle injury, a transaction that would allow Palumbo to be recalled for Friday.
“He was pretty adamant about it,” Woodward said. “He said he felt great.”
So, Smyly’s got that going for him.
This story was originally published June 12, 2019 at 2:19 PM.
