After scoreless outing, Rangers’ Kyle Gibson happy with pitch execution, physical health
Texas Rangers right-hander Kyle Gibson held the Milwaukee Brewers scoreless on one hit and a walk in three innings of spring training work Saturday at American Family Fields of Phoenix.
He also threw 15 pitches in the bullpen to tick his overall pitch count into the 50s.
“I felt a lot better today than I did [Monday in his first appearance],” said Gibson, who struck out two. “Not necessarily physically but how I was executing pitches. I’m still feeling really good.”
Gibson, who signed a three-year, $28 million deal in December, was working on throwing strikes with his breaking ball on Saturday and “that’s what I was able to do.”
After retiring the first six Brewers, he forced a double-play ball with the bases loaded against Orlando Arcia to end the inning.
“Definitely glad those haven’t left me. I feel really confident in those situations that I can get out of them,” he said. “Definitely like to see those happen early on in Spring.”
Gibson has struggled with keeping his weight up after developing ulcerative colitis while with the Minnesota Twins last year. It’s the same ailment that struck former Rangers left-hander Jake Diekman. Gibson is at 210 pounds at the moment, a weight he likes.
“I’m really working on what made me successful the last couple of years before I was sick and not feeling good,” he said. “That was getting ahead of guys and working in the zone with all my pitches. That’s what I have been working on this spring and I have been able to execute this spring.”
Rangers manager Chris Woodward said Gibson appears on track to be available for the rotation the opening week.
“I felt the way he pitched today was really impressive,” Rangers manager Chris Woodward said. “I’d say he’s on track [for opening week]. If he keeps up this pace he’ll be fine for Opening Day.”
That’s what Gibson expects and he’s been preparing as if he’ll make his first start for the Rangers the first week of the season.
“I let them know I would like to be on plan for that first time through the rotation and we can always adjust it,” he said. “I spent enough time last year not being smart about how I was feeling and what I was doing out there. Try to be smart but understand that I have a job to do and part of being professional is doing what you can to be ready and understanding when you are not. Right now I know my body and I feel ready to go.”
This story was originally published March 7, 2020 at 4:55 PM.
