Rangers’ bullpen issues aren’t as simple as replacing Shawn Tolleson

Rangers manager Jeff Banister is not ready for a change in his bullpen just yet. Shawn Tolleson’s third blown save Saturday night (in 14 chances) isn’t necessarily a reason to make a move, Banister said.

Especially, when you consider that no one in the Rangers’ bullpen early in 2016 has been without blemishes. The Rangers’ relievers had the worst ERA in the American League and second worst in the majors at 5.16 entering Sunday. They had also allowed an AL-high 24 homers.

“Our back end of the bullpen as a whole has not been as effective or locked down as we thought it was going to be, for whatever reason,” Banister said.

So the idea of replacing Tolleson with Sam Dyson, for example, is not necessarily going to alleviate a “rough patch” Tolleson acknowledged he’s going through just because he’s pitching in the seventh or eighth as opposed to the ninth.

“All of them have been nicked to some degree. It just so happens that Tolleson’s the guy, that in some of those instances, has been the last guy to have the ball in his hand. Has he had a stretch here where it’s been a challenge? Yeah. We’re looking into why that challenge is.”

Tolleson is throwing a tad harder and more strikes this season, but hitters have been more successful against his changeup.

“This year they seem to be hitting his changeup a little better,” Banister said. “Well, why is that? Our pitching coaches and we’ll all look at it and see if there’s an adjustment that we can help him make to get him back into that effectiveness.”

Banister is not against making a change, if he deems it necessary. A year ago this month Neftali Feliz lost the closer’s job, which was assumed by Tolleson. He earned his first career save on May 20.

“It is a performance-based industry and we’re about winning baseball games, so when you do have players that become ineffective you do have to make changes or an adjustment,” Banister said.

Holland hopeful

Derek Holland hopes to snap a two-game string of bad outings in the opener Monday against the Athletics in Oakland.

Holland has been tagged for 15 earned runs on 19 hits in his last two starts (five total innings), which included a 1-hour, 18-minute delay Tuesday night in his last start. Holland refused to use the delay as an excuse.

“I’m very anxious to get out there,” Holland said. “It’s just one of those things where you’ve got to keep plugging away, not let anything really affect you, don’t get down on it, stay positive. I think I’ve done a great job of that, and these guys have kept me up there, too.”

He is frustrated, however, after allowing just eight earned runs over his first five starts.

“Oh, yeah, I’m definitely frustrated with the way things have gone,” he said. “I want to be helping this team as much as possible but now the main focus is getting ready for Oakland.”

Darvish in Midland

Yu Darvish will make his fourth rehab start at 11 a.m. Tuesday for Triple A Round Rock against the Midland RockHounds at Security Bank Ballpark. He’s scheduled to pitch five innings or 75 pitches.

Leaning left

The Rangers were set to pitch four consecutive left-handers beginning Sunday with Cesar Ramos. It matches the club’s longest span of starting lefties.

According to STATS Inc., the only time the Rangers have done it was in August 1973. The four starters in that stretch were Jim Merritt, Mike Paul, David Clyde and Charlie Hudson.

This story was originally published May 15, 2016 at 3:20 PM with the headline "Rangers’ bullpen issues aren’t as simple as replacing Shawn Tolleson."