Matt Harrison to start for Texas Rangers; Nick Martinez to minors for rest
Left-hander Matt Harrison made his final start Wednesday night before his 30-day rehab window closed Thursday, and he again said that he is confident he can get big league hitters out.
He will get a chance to prove it next week after the Texas Rangers optioned right-hander Nick Martinez to the minors in order to, among other things, create a place for Harrison to pitch for the first time since a major back operation last year.
Martinez was sent to Triple A Round Rock in what was framed as an opportunity for him to get some rest and have him ready for the second half of the season. Former closer Neftali Feliz was activated from the disabled list.
Harrison has done all he can on his rehab assignment and has proven that he is healthy. He will make his first start for the Rangers since May 2014. Tuesday is the day left open by Martinez’s exit from the rotation.
“He’s made progress, probably as much as anything with his confidence in himself,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “It’s time. He’s not going to get anything more out of minor league starts. It’s time to get him out in the big stadium, get the adrenaline going and see where it goes.”
Harrison allowed three runs in six innings for Triple A Round Rock against the Chicago Cubs’ top affiliate in Des Moines, Iowa. As has become the trend for Harrison, he was sluggish early before finishing strong.
His velocity topped out at 89 mph.
That’s not where he was before having multiple back surgeries, including spinal fusion last year, but he said that he has adapted and might get back to where he was.
“I feel like I’m at a point where this is who I’m going to be as a pitcher and have learned to pitch with what I have now,” Harrison said late Wednesday. “It may get better as the year goes or it may not, but I’m confident in myself about getting out there and getting outs.”
Martinez pitched 6 2/3 innings Wednesday, surrendering four runs (three earned) in taking the loss in a third straight start. He has thrown 97 innings, which is more than halfway to the 180-inning target the Rangers had for him at the beginning of the year after working 151 innings between the minors and majors in 2014.
He will pitch at Round Rock, just lighter innings and in a less stressful environment.
“There’s a negative way and a positive way to look at things,” said Martinez, who is likely to return for the start of the second half. “And I believe they’re just looking out for my health.”
The decision, coupled with two days off next week, will give rotation members rest before the All-Star break. The Rangers are toying with a six-man rotation for certain stretches in the second half, when a spot starter will be used during long stretches without a day off.
July 2 signings
The Rangers made a big splash on the first day of the international signing period, agreeing with 16-year-old Dominican center fielder Leody Taveras for a reported $2.1 million.
Taveras, a switch-hitter who hits for average and power, was ranked as the No. 3 international prospect by Baseball America.
Taveras has two cousins who played for major league organizations. Willy Taveras was a center fielder from 2004-10 for, among others, Houston and Colorado, and Luis Taveras was a catcher who advanced as far as Triple A in the Rangers’ organization and is now a trainer.
The Rangers also announced the signings of Venezuelan center fielder Miguel Aparicio, Venezuelan defensive-minded catcher Francisco Ventura, and Colombian left-hander Reiver Sanmartin.
The club also traded Class A right-hander Jason Hoppe to the Angels for international slot money, reportedly $900,000.
July 4 ticket update
Only scattered single seats, obstructed-view seats and standing-room-only tickets remain for Saturday’s game, which will feature a pregame induction ceremony by the U.S. Air Force, a flyover of F-16 aircraft after the national anthem and a 20-minute postgame fireworks show.
Jeff Wilson, 817-390-7760
This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 5:48 PM with the headline "Matt Harrison to start for Texas Rangers; Nick Martinez to minors for rest."