Rangers righty Tyson Ross threw his first live batting practice session today, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (Twitter links). The twenty pitch outing proceeded without issue, which leaves Ross on track for a somewhat more rapid timeline to return to MLB action than had been anticipated. Per Wilson, the bounceback candidate — who’s returning from thoracic outlet surgery — could be available as soon as early May. Texas will pay Ross $6MM this year, with up to $3MM available in incentives, in hopes that he can return to the form that made him one of the game’s more effective starters over the 2013-15 seasons.
- With some questions in the rotation, especially early on, the Rangers may elect to carry a deep relief unit while relying on just three bench players, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes. The key to that arrangement is the versatility of Jurickson Profar and Ryan Rua, who could share time in left with Delino DeShields while also filling in wherever else they’re needed. Profar is primarily an infielder by trade, and that’s where Rua spent most of his minor-league career — though he has played mostly in the outfield in the majors.
- It seems there’s reason for optimism for Athletics righty Sonny Gray, who was “very encouraged” after picking up the ball yesterday, as Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports on Twitter. Gray only made twenty throws from a distance of sixty feet and another fifteen from seventy-five feet, but that’s an important first step. He’ll repeat the exercise today as he seeks to speed up his return from a lat strain.
- Mariners utilityman Shawn O’Malley needed an appendectomy yesterday, which will sideline him for around two weeks, as Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports. He and Taylor Motter are battling for a reserve role on the Opening Day roster, but the health issue could certainly move the needle. Thus far, Motter has the better spring stat line, with a .324/.435/.459 slash against O’Malley’s .278/.333/.278 mark. Both have options remaining and have reached the majors previously, though neither has a significant track record at the game’s highest level.
- The Mariners also got some updates on a pair of righty relievers, Dutton adds on Twitter. Shae Simmons was able to play catch as he works through forearm issues, while Steve Cishek is scheduled for his first pen session tomorrow as he continues to progress from offseason hip surgery. It seems clear at this point that neither will be ready for Opening Day, though the deep Seattle unit should be able to bear the loss, and both could represent intriguing mid-season additions to the relief corps.
Ross and cash are going to have a rough time rebounding in that launch pad. That is when they get back from their respected injuries
Everyone should respect injuries….
This comment deserves way more attention then it got. 1
TX isn’t the “launch pad” everyone still thinks it is. Since the construction a few years back it declined significantly. Still a ‘hitters park’ more than a pitchers park, but not a launching pad
Wow. A three-man bench (which is actually a two-man bench because managers never use their backup catchers in-game). Gotta love AL baseball.
And pitching changes 4 times an inning. That’s exciting.
Much better than a pitcher hitting .091 coming up with 2 RISP and 2 outs early in the game. The bench is to give real players a day off not hit for a pitcher.
I’m actually in favor of the DH. Just hate 13-man pitching staffs and two-man benches. I like platoons and stuff.
I don’t wish anyone to be hurt, but I hope the Rangers rotation is decimated this year.
Yeah but your wishing that their careers go in the wrong direction by being horrible.
Why do you wish that?
I bet you do, if the rotation is strong then the team will be good
That kind of wishing results in your own team going down in flames.
If my team had been treated like little girls by the Rangers for years, I might wish bad things in them too. They will still be Asstros daddy.
1) Gomez-8
2) Choo-0
3) Beltre-5
4) Napoli-3
5) Odor-4
6) Lucroy-2
7) Mazara-9
8) Elvis-6
9) Profar-7
We will be fine guys… Our pen is stacked and our rotation will be decent. We will 3 peat
I feel like those players could make a good lineup, but not the way you have them. And I don’t really think your pen is stacked, I don’t even think it’s that good. Besides Dyson, who all do you have back there? Oh yeah, I forgot about the guy with the DUI’s and other terrible stuff he’s done to get him to prison, so I guess you’ve got him to. And then you have Hammels and Darvish who are both great if they stay healthy, but who knows with Darvish. And then who’s after them, besides the 2 guys that will hopefully come back from injury soon, they have basically nothing. So the Rangers are basically just relying on 2 pitchers to carry them all the way or that lineups going to need to be getting 10 runs a game. Usually when your relying on 2 pitchers to carry your team when one has allready had a major surgery recently, it doesn’t end super good. So while I think the Rangers could deffinilty be the best in the AL, I also don’t think you can just hand them a 3 peat. But also, you seem so proud of the back to back division titles, but I don’t understand what’s so great about that if you get knocked out by the same team two years in a row? But what would I know about the playoffs, I’m a Mariners fan.
I’d agree the pen is relatively stacked. Dyson and Deikman, Jeffress who has closer experience, Bush, Kela has big potential and Scheppers has had a good spring and then there’s Barnette who did good last year and Claudio who’s been good. Not top tier but definitely one of the tops in AL
I understand your points but I disagree with you on our pen. We have 2 horses in Darvish/ Hamels and if Perez/Cashner/T Ross can perform as the average pitchers they are, we should be in position to win Division. The reconstructed mariners look very good on paper but King Felix is slowing down and I classify Smily and Iwakuma as average pitchers as well. (Smily maybe above average). I think TEX or SEA wins division but I’m a Ranges fan so i pick TEX lol. (HOU could be very dangerous if they land Quintana)
Rangers bullpen is stacked. No doubt about it. Dyson, Bush, Kela, Barnette, Claudio, Jeffress. They’re all fantastic. The only iffy guy is scheppers but he’s shown some good stuff in the brief time he’s been back
He feels that way because he knows a rotation like that would have his team sitting pretty. Astros have a good team. They’re SP is a ?
Gray should anchor a very talented pitching group for the A’s… Expect the pleasantly unexpected with the revamping Athletics…