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Rangers Not Considering Kumar Rocker For Closer Role

By Nick Deeds | May 26, 2025 at 2:20pm CDT

May 26: Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young today denied that Rocker is being considered for a closer role, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Young said it’s possible Rocker ends up pitching in relief due to various circumstances, though it’s not something the club is targeting. “We see him as an MLB starter in the short- and long-term,” Young said. “Is there a way we need him in some capacity in the bullpen? Perhaps, but that is neither the focus nor the plan. We’ve not talked about it.”

May 25: Rangers brass are contemplating trying hard-throwing youngster Kumar Rocker in the closer role when he returns from the injured list, according to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Rocker is currently rehabbing from a right shoulder impingement that’s kept him sidelined over the past month, but is already on a rehab assignment and expected to be ready to return in the near future.

Moving a consensus top-50 prospect in the sport to the bullpen despite him having started all eight games of his major league career to this point would be something of a bold move, but it’s also an understandable one to consider for a team badly in need of a spark. The Rangers currently sport a 26-28 record that leaves them on the outside looking in of the AL playoff picture. Much of those struggles have been down to an anemic offense that has struggled to generate runs despite having big name players like Wyatt Langford, Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, and Joc Pederson up and down the lineup.

Perhaps the team that entered play today tied for the third-fewest runs scored in the majors could put themselves in a better position to succeed if their pitching was top-notch; after all, the Rangers are tied with the Royals in terms of runs scored, and Kansas City is currently clinging to the final AL Wild Card spot with a 29-25 record thanks in large part to a team ERA of 3.07, second in baseball behind only the Mets. The Rangers are no slouches when it comes to pitching, themselves, as their team ERA of 3.38 is good for sixth in the majors. Notably, however, much of that prowess has come from a starting rotation that has featured standout performances from veterans Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom, and Tyler Mahle. Rocker has not been part of that success, as even when healthy he’s pitched to a lackluster 8.10 ERA in five starts this year despite solid peripherals.

The bullpen, on the other hand, is a place where Rocker may be able to make an impact. The Rangers have dealt with a middling bullpen for years, and despite overhauling the unit this offseason that remains the case as they’ve pitched to a 4.20 ERA that’s good for just 19th in the majors. Adding an electric arm like that of Rocker to the mix could help the Rangers hold onto leads late in games, especially with veteran relief ace Chris Martin currently on the shelf due to shoulder fatigue without a clear timeline for his return to action. If Rocker can dominate out of the bullpen by pitching at max-effort and not worrying about trying to go multiple innings, then it’s possible that he could get acclimated to the majors more effectively as a reliever and help the Rangers where they’re most in need of a jolt on the pitching side of things.

While starting a top pitching prospect’s career in the bullpen is unusual, it’s hardly unprecedented. Chris Sale stands as perhaps the most notable example of an ace hurler who began in the major league bullpen before converting back to the rotation later on, but Garrett Crochet, Jeff Samardzija, and Texas’s own C.J. Wilson are among a handful of other notable names. Hurlers have even begun converting from relief to rotation roles later in their career in recent years, with Seth Lugo and Clay Holmes standing out as notable examples from the past few seasons. Of course, this strategy would still come with some risk. There’s no guarantee that Rocker would immediately take to a role change, and even if he did the Rangers would effectively be hollowing out some of their rotation depth by not letting Rocker stay stretched out and using him in shorter bursts.

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Texas Rangers Kumar Rocker

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48 Comments

  1. mikevm3

    3 weeks ago

    so their way of learning from Neftali Feliz is to do a reverse Neftali Feliz

    5
    Reply
    • sad tormented neglected mariners fan

      3 weeks ago

      I mean Feliz wasnt bad as a starter he just got injured and he started games in the minors

      But disrupting rocker’s development is a classic rangers move just like all of those horrible moves in the 2000s *cough* arod *cough* fielder

      4
      Reply
      • Buckner

        3 weeks ago

        Another Bob Nightengale non-scoop!

        6
        Reply
        • Buckner

          3 weeks ago

          “Rangers brass are contemplating trying hard-throwing youngster Kumar Rocker in the closer role when he returns from the injured list, according to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today.”

          1
          Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      3 weeks ago

      Closers named Rocker cause problems.

      Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it.

      3
      Reply
  2. آلي مكبيل_.._.بيتزا بيبيروني آشتون كوتشر

    3 weeks ago

    John must be excited that his son is following in his footsteps.

    8
    Reply
    • Steinbrenner2728

      3 weeks ago

      Kumar’s father is Tracy Rocker, former NFL player from Auburn who also coached in college football and in the NFL. Please don’t get those two mixed up, thank you.

      9
      Reply
    • Dumpster Divin Theo

      3 weeks ago

      Kumar must be excited that his son is following in his footsteps and will join Harold on a quest to White Castle

      22
      Reply
  3. Datashark

    3 weeks ago

    Looking at his games pitched a little more than 50% of time he gave up first inning runs, so is he ready for pressure cooker closer role knowing that?

    1
    Reply
    • chiefnocahoma1

      3 weeks ago

      Starters’ stuff tends to get better when moved into relief. His repertoire is textbook closer.

      1
      Reply
    • Paleobros

      3 weeks ago

      It should be fine because he’ll be pitching the ninth inning, not the first inning;)

      2
      Reply
      • Datashark

        3 weeks ago

        apparently, Rangers agreed with me and is not going to close for now.

        Reply
  4. TigersLoveCinnamon

    3 weeks ago

    This sounds like an owner decision. Bochy would never give up on a starter that quick.

    3
    Reply
  5. rockingryan

    3 weeks ago

    Wow first Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty dies, now this?

    Reply
  6. CaseyAbell

    3 weeks ago

    Might make some sense. Just have him throw as hard as he can for an inning. It’s not like the Rangers have a raft of choices for the closer spot, anyway.

    3
    Reply
  7. Damn Yankee$

    3 weeks ago

    Shouldn’t have traded Clase for a spent Kluber.

    8
    Reply
    • rayreed5220

      3 weeks ago

      Breaking news, thank you

      Reply
      • Damn Yankee$

        3 weeks ago

        You’re welcome, Dick.

        Reply
  8. YellowCleats

    3 weeks ago

    Good idea to try him as a closer. The starter project with him has gone on for a few years. If he is to stay in the majors try him as a closer . Only goes through lineup once and can stick to a 2 or 3 pitch combination and not worry about 100 pitch endurance

    6
    Reply
    • Major League Baseball Fan

      3 weeks ago

      Hopefully a closer never goes through the lineup once. That’s a minimum of 3 runs in the 9th inning.

      1
      Reply
  9. Scooter14

    3 weeks ago

    Dave Rigetti was a great starter before being moved to be a closer for the Yankees

    2
    Reply
    • aLifetimeOfDefeats

      3 weeks ago

      So were Dennis Eckersly & John Smoltz. Moving a veteran with injury history to closer is one thing, but giving up on a first round pick this early in his career and turning him into a reliever is something else.

      Reply
  10. AHH-Rox

    3 weeks ago

    Adam Wainwright is another prominent example of temporary use as a closer before a great career as a starter.

    4
    Reply
    • mlb1225

      3 weeks ago

      Wainwright, Chris Sale, Garrett Crochet, Jeff Samardzjia, Johan Santana, even Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling were used as a reliever for the first year or two of their careers in the big leagues before moving back to the rotation long term.

      4
      Reply
    • JaredKFan

      3 weeks ago

      Don’t forget John Smoltz. Except in his case he was a great starter, became a closer (and a damn good one) for a few years while healing from TJ before becoming a starter again.

      Reply
  11. AC Surf Baseball

    3 weeks ago

    Always gave me closer vibes, maybe it’s the name. It makes some sense because of the arsenal, injuries and results thus far I guess. MLB doesn’t have those dominating closer on 2/3 of the teams anymore, with the catchy names and entry music. We’ve seen many a failed starter prospects become very good relievers, but may be premature if they do it.

    3
    Reply
  12. dasit

    3 weeks ago

    his name is kumar rocker
    of course he’s a closer

    1
    Reply
  13. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    3 weeks ago

    He belongs in and wants to play in Detroit.

    The Rangers should come up.with a trade deal.

    Reply
  14. Bennie

    3 weeks ago

    That would be a colossal mistake.

    Reply
    • Major League Baseball Fan

      3 weeks ago

      Define colossal. Mets didn’t sign Rocker, then they chose Kevin Parada the next year. Go check Parada’s minor league numbers and get back to me about colossal.

      2
      Reply
      • Miken31

        3 weeks ago

        Major League Baseball Fan:

        And I’m going to say whether it’s Rocker or Parada, I don’t think either one is going to have a major positive impact at the major league level.

        Reply
  15. LFGMets (Metsin7) #BannedAgain&Again&AgainFireStearns

    3 weeks ago

    Chris Young is an awful GM. After the Rangers won the World Series, the bullpen got worse and they made zero improvements other than one year signings of Yates and Robertson within the past 2 years. They relied of Sborz and their former closer (forgot his name), and shelved Chapman for no reason. Those first 2 guys I mentioned, I thought they were some of the worst relievers in the game. For those that say “Chris Young is a good GM, they won a World Series”, he got there when all the pieces were already there. The Rangers were bad for years. The only difference between him and Ellias is that Young went for it all at that 2023 trade deadline, while Ellias never made one big move at the multiple deadlines that the Orioles were in contention for. The bullpen is the most important part of the game

    1
    Reply
    • Clofreesz

      3 weeks ago

      How many GMs have won a World Series? Let alone their first full year?

      2
      Reply
    • rayreed5220

      3 weeks ago

      The 3 sentences following your first one tells me you have little clue of what you’re talking about

      2
      Reply
  16. Joel from NY

    3 weeks ago

    Mr. Deeds should go to adjective school. An ERA of 8.10 is “lackluster? How about “dreadful”?

    5
    Reply
    • momTurphy

      3 weeks ago

      Not over a 20 inning sample size. It’s not good, but it’s not dreadful. Lackluster would be a good term.

      1
      Reply
  17. Rsox

    3 weeks ago

    So if Kumar isn’t being considered is Harold?

    2
    Reply
    • Acoss1331

      3 weeks ago

      Need to get some White Castle first.

      Reply
  18. mlb1225

    3 weeks ago

    I would think they would look at moving Jack Leiter to the pen before Kumar Rocker.

    1
    Reply
  19. Rudy Zolteck

    3 weeks ago

    This is a certified Bob Nightengale classic

    11
    Reply
  20. norcalblue

    3 weeks ago

    slow day for rumors

    1
    Reply
  21. HiredGun23

    3 weeks ago

    It happens, even to teh nedicore…

    Reply
  22. HiredGun23

    3 weeks ago

    Hang in there, Lil Nicky…you’ll get ’em next time!

    Reply
  23. thickiedon

    3 weeks ago

    According to this post, Bob Nightengale is full of it.

    1
    Reply
  24. gbs42

    3 weeks ago

    Oh, Boob…

    1
    Reply
  25. RG1 4

    3 weeks ago

    Rangers are pathetic. 3 runs in 3 games???? All the money paid to these guys for this crap on the field??? SEC baseball is more exiting to watch than the Rangers

    Reply

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