Rangers’ pitching rotation has gone from riches to ragged
The pitching carousel for the Texas Rangers started spinning a bit faster Saturday afternoon.
Highly regarded rookie Chi Chi Gonzalez was sent down to Triple A Round Rock a day after his shortest and worst outing — six runs in 1 2/3 innings — and veteran Matt Harrison was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list. Anthony Ranaudo was recalled from Round Rock after Neftali Feliz was designated for assignment late Friday.
And it’s just the beginning.
Martin Perez could return from his rehab assignment soon after the All-Star break and Derek Holland could be back from the DL by the end of July.
With veteran left-hander Wandy Rodriguez struggling in two of his last three outings, including giving up five runs on nine hits over five innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night at Globe Life Park, another move could be imminent. Spencer Patton relieved Rodriguez and promptly gave up six earned runs, allowing three hits, issuing a walk and hitting two batters, and the Rangers lost 13-0 Saturday night.
Perez and Holland, of course, figure to be locks in the Rangers’ eventual steady rotation.
Questions loom, however, about how quickly Perez will find the success he had before Tommy John surgery put him on the shelf. Or how sturdy Holland will be when he returns after missing most of the past two seasons with injuries.
Even deeper questions surround Harrison’s return. The left-handed veteran is scheduled to start Wednesday’s game against the Diamondbacks. It’s his first major league start since May 13, 2014. Harrison, 29, had spinal fusion surgery the next month and has been on a long, in many ways, improbable road back ever since. He hasn’t exactly been dominating in six minor league rehab starts with Round Rock and Frisco, going 1-3 with a 6.23 ERA.
His velocity isn’t what it used to be (in high 80s), something Harrison hopes improves with more innings. But if he struggles with the Rangers, is he willing to pitch those innings in the minors?
Gonzalez, who pitched exceedingly well in five of his first seven career starts, including a shutout at Kansas City on June 5, struggled with command in his past three starts. In his last 13 1/3 innings, he allowed 15 earned runs on 17 hits and seven walks.
“It was fun while I was here. I learned a lot,” Gonzalez said. “I’m taking it as you got to do what you got to do. I control what I can control.”
Banister compared the move to the club sending Nick Martinez down to Round Rock earlier this week, which is a chance to give Martinez extra rest before and after the All-Star break while Harrison gets a shot at earning a spot in the rotation. But Gonzalez’s return to the minors could last longer, if Perez and/or Holland find success.
“Those guys are [getting] healthy so you have to make room for them, unfortunately it was me,” Gonzalez said. “I wish the team luck. I’m just going to do my job in Round Round.
It’s Ranaudo’s third stint with the Rangers. The first two were for spot starts (April 15 and June 18). This time he’ll be asked to work out of the bullpen as a long man since Anthony Bass threw 86 pitches in 4 1/3 of relief Friday.
“This is obviously my first time pitching out of the bullpen, but I’m going to try to treat it as it’s still baseball, it’s still a game,” said Ranaudo, whose options allow him to be moved up and down from the minors to the majors the entire season. “Just be more aware of the situations that I come into.
“Moving parts all the time,” Gonzalez conceded. “I’m here to serve and it’s my time to come up, come down, what can I do. I’m wherever they need me.”
Banister said he still expects Gonzalez to be a winning piece of the rotation.
“I was proud how he started his major league career and how he handled all that but also how he handled the last couple of starts, too,” he said. “We still believe in him as one of the winning players in this trek to where we want to go. Don’t look at this as a demotion as much as an opportunity to get some work.”
Much remains to be seen, of course, with Harrison, Perez and Holland all unknown quantities to some degree. Perez is scheduled to pitch seven innings Tuesday for Round Rock in what could turn out to be his final rehab start.
“He will have logged the pitches and number of innings we’ll need to seriously start looking for the time slot for him to pitch in the major leagues,” Banister said. “I’m sure there will be a spot for him to come up and pitch on this club.”
But besides Yovani Gallardo, Colby Lewis and eventually Martin Perez and Derek Holland, who will fill the final spot of the rotation? Rodriguez? Martinez? Gonzalez?
“How that is configured [eventually], right now, I can’t give you one solid name,” Banister said.
Stefan Stevenson
817-390-7760
Twitter: @StevensonFWST
This story was originally published July 4, 2015 at 10:22 PM with the headline "Rangers’ pitching rotation has gone from riches to ragged."