Rangers notes: Chi Chi returns to start Thursday in place of Hamels

Chi Chi Gonzalez, one of the Texas Rangers’ top pitching prospects, gets “another shot,” as he puts it, on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins. He’ll fill in for Cole Hamels, who is missing his scheduled start with a left groin issue.

Gonzalez is 5-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 13 starts for Triple A Round Rock. He’ll be making his second stint with the Rangers after going 2-4 with a 3.74 ERA from May 30 to July 3.

The 23-year-old right-hander has worked on his fastball command, which, with its natural movement, is his primary key to success. But he’s also worked on implementing his curveball more to add more separation between his fastball and changeup.

“Knowing when to mix it in, when not to,” said Gonzalez, who’s excited to be pitching during a playoff race but is preferring to not think about it.

“I just have to do what I’ve been doing. Give my team a shot to win. Give them a tough reason not to send [me] back.”

Manager Jeff Banister said Gonzalez’s experience with the Rangers helped earn him the nod to fill in for Hamels. Banister said Gonzalez should strive to sharpen his curveball to add another element to his game.

“I think he has accomplished some of that. I don’t think he’s exactly where he’s going to be. It will be fun to watch,” he said. “He needs that tool in his tool box so these guys can’t just straight ambush his fastball.

“He has a mentality of how he’s going to pitch. I’m not going to dictate how he pitches. He has to have a feel for how he’s going to go out there and do it.”

Hamilton scratched

Outfielder Josh Hamilton was a late scratch for Wednesday’s game with left knee soreness. Ryan Strausborger started in left field and hit ninth. Hamilton received treatment on the knee, which has been bothering him for a few days but the pain was more pronounced after batting practice Wednesday.

DeShields’ catch

The Rangers were clinging to a 2-0 lead in the eighth inning with a runner at second base Tuesday when center fielder Delino DeShields dashed back to make arguably his most dazzling catch of the season. It saved a run, if only momentarily.

“A lot of it was just instinctual,” he said. “I saw the ball and I went for it and realized I could make the play. If I didn’t jump, it probably would have gone over my head.”

He made the leaping catch and hit the bottom of the wall hard, banging his right knee, but “I was already at full speed so there was no stopping.”

“Those kinds of moments you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to keep the team in the game and keep us ahead,” he said. “I was just trying to do what I could to relieve some pressure off the pitcher and help the team out.”

Briefly

▪ Right-hander Tanner Scheppers (left knee inflammation) allowed one run on two hits in one inning during a rehab appearance for Double A Frisco on Tuesday. Banister reported his velocity was strong but he struggled with his command, including a slider that wasn’t as sharp.

▪ Left-hander Derek Holland will make his fourth rehab start for Round Rock on Friday, not Frisco, which was the original plan.

▪ Catchers Robinson Chirinos (left shoulder strain) and Carlos Corporan (sprained left thumb) continue to progress. Banister said Corporan is likely to take longer than Chirinos, who likely will make a few rehab appearances before rejoining the Rangers.

This story was originally published August 12, 2015 at 7:23 PM with the headline "Rangers notes: Chi Chi returns to start Thursday in place of Hamels."