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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Next start coming Thursday

  4D ago • By RotoWire

  Rocker is scheduled to make his next start Thursday against the Blue Jays in Arlington. Rocker was called up from Triple-A Round Rock last week and ended up taking the rotation spot of fellow rookie and former Vanderbilt teammate Jack Leiter, who was moved to the bullpen. After submitting stellar numbers in the minors upon completing his recovery from May 2023 Tommy John surgery, Rocker continued to shine in his MLB debut this past Thursday, striking out seven and inducing 17 swinging strikes while allowing one earned run on three hits and two walks over four innings. Rocker was lifted after 74 pitches, and though the Rangers will likely be conservative with his workload over what projects to be two more starts this season, he should be a strong source of strikeouts down the stretch.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Fans seven in debut

  6D ago • By RotoWire

  Rocker did not factor into the decision in a win over Seattle on Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over four innings while striking out seven. Rocker held his own in his big-league debut, recording seven strikeouts over four innings while generating 17 whiffs. The 24-year-old also managed to pitch his way out of a few jams after allowing the leadoff man to reach in the first and third innings, though he would be relieved by Gerson Garabito to open the fifth after reaching 74 pitches. Rocker will look to improve upon his promising first start next week, assuming the Rangers keep the rookie around for at least another turn in the rotation.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Set for MLB debut Thursday

  10D ago • By RotoWire

  Rocker will be called up from Triple-A Round Rock to make his major-league debut Thursday in Seattle, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports. The Rangers hadn't initially planned to promote Rocker to the big leagues in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, but the big right-hander has been so dominant that he's forced their hand. Rocker permitted six runs (three earned) over three innings in his third rehab start with the Rangers' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate, but in seven outings since then between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, he's collected a 0.91 ERA and 47:4 K:BB over 29.2 innings. He has not thrown more than 72 pitches or gone more than five frames in a start, and Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News has reported that the Rangers would like to keep Rocker at around 50 total innings for this season. If the club sticks to that number, it would leave Rocker with approximately 13.1 frames left in 2024.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: MLB debut in 2024 not ruled out

  10D ago • By RotoWire

  Rangers general manager Chris Young on Sunday said the team has not ruled out the possibility of Rocker making his major-league debut before the end of this season, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. Rocker has been electric since returning in early July following his rehab from Tommy John surgery. Since moving up to Double-A Frisco and more recently Triple-A Round Rock, he's allowed just three runs while posting a ridiculous 47:4 K:BB over 29.2 innings over seven starts. There are factors working against a potential late-season promotion, chief among them is that the Rangers already have more starters than they have rotation spots. However, if Texas believes there's a real chance Rocker could open 2025 in its rotation, it might make sense to give him a test run this month.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Cleared for rehab assignment

  07/05/2024 • By RotoWire

  Rocker (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Rangers' Arizona Complex League affiliate Friday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. Rocker is finally ready to pitch in a game after having Tommy John surgery in May of 2023. He last pitched at High-A Hickory and could eventually head back to that affiliate once the Rangers feel he's ready.

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