April showers give Rangers two days off but force brutal stretch in June
Consecutive days off during a baseball season don’t happen too often, but the Texas Rangers got it Sunday after their series finale against the Baltimore Orioles was postponed due to heavy rain.
The game has been rescheduled for June 20, which is a Monday and was originally an off day for both clubs. The Rangers will now play 20 consecutive games from June 3-22, including a 10-game road trip through Seattle, Oakland and St. Louis.
The Rangers had the longest streak in the majors without a rainout before Sunday’s storms. The last time a game was postponed in Arlington was May 29, 2013.
The rainout altered the Rangers’ rotation for the three-game set against the rival Houston Astros — beginning Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Globe Life Park. Sunday’s scheduled starter, Derek Holland, will start Tuesday, followed by Cole Hamels on an extra day of rest. A.J. Griffin will pitch Thursday against Houston ace Dallas Keuchel.
The rotation change also gives Martin Perez and Colby Lewis two extra days off before their next starts. Perez will start the opener in Chicago on Friday against the White Sox, and Lewis will start Saturday. Holland will likely start the finale on Sunday.
Fans with tickets to Sunday’s game may use them June 20. If unable to attend, fans with tickets may also exchange them for any non-premier home game Sunday through Thursday, subject to availability, throughout the rest of the season. Sunday’s Delino DeShields socks giveaway for kids 13 and under will be rescheduled.
The Rangers played 448 consecutive regular-season games at Globe Life Park since their last postponement.
Darvish update
Rangers ace Yu Darvish threw his second live bullpen session Sunday morning. He’ll throw his third and final live session Thursday before beginning his rehab assignment in the minor leagues the week of April 25.
His first rehab start will likely be for Double A Frisco, which is at home from April 25-May 2. Triple A Round Rock is at Memphis on April 25-26 before returning for a homestand April 28.
If Darvish stays on schedule and makes six rehab starts, he’d likely be ready to return May 27. The Rangers begin a three-game series at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates that Friday night.
Darvish and pitching coach Doug Brocail both were pleased with Sunday’s second 50-pitch session, which was broken up into three innings with Darvish throwing 15 pitches in the first two and 20 in the third.
He threw in the indoor batting cages because of the rain. Bryan Holaday and Josh Hamilton stood at the plate but did not swing.
Stefan Stevenson: 817-390-7760, @StevensonFWST
This story was originally published April 17, 2016 at 2:38 PM with the headline "April showers give Rangers two days off but force brutal stretch in June."