Rangers Option Former Phillies Top Prospect Following Disastrous Outing

Former Philadelphia Phillies top prospect Spencer Howard was demoted by the Texas Rangers after a disastrous season debut on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rangers announced the move on social media. The Rangers recalled Yerry Rodriguez, a reliever that spent a few days with the team earlier this season.

Howard was activated by the Rangers on Monday from the 60-day injured list after suffering a right lat strain during Spring Training. Howard did not pitch in the three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Rangers brought Howard into the game in the sixth inning on Friday night, with the Rangers down 4-1. Howard hit the Rays’ Randy Arozarena with a pitch to start the inning.

It got no better. Arozarena stole second base with Isaac Paredes at the plate. He then hit his 11th home run of the season — and his second of the game — off of Howard, pushing the Rays up 6-1.

Howard then walked Jose Siri, allowed Christian Bethancourt to single and then gave up an RBI single to Manuel Margot, which scored Siri.

Taylor Walls followed that with an RBI single to make it 8-1 Rays. Howard then retired his only batter of the night, getting Yandy Diaz to fly out to left.

John King replated Howard.

Howard gave up four hits, four runs (all earned) and a walk. He went one-third of an inning.

Howard looked good during his rehab stint with Triple-A Round Rock, throwing 3.2 scoreless innings of relief.

While with Round Rock he made two appearances, went 3.2 innings and didn’t give up a run. He didn’t allow a hit, struck out seven and walked one.

The Phillies selected Howard in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft after he had a standout career at Cal Poly. While working his way through the Phillies’ system, he threw the first no-hitter in Class-A Lakewood BlueClaws history.

He made his MLB debut with the Phillies during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, during which went 1-2 with a 5.92 ERA. He made 11 starts with the Phillies in 2021, going 0-2 with a 5.72 ERA before he was traded to the Rangers in a deal that netted the Phillies several players, including starter Kyle Gibson, who helped Philadelphia reach the World Series last season.

With the Rangers, Howard has battled injuries. In 2021 he went 0-3 in eight starts with Texas, finishing with a 9.70 ERA.

Howard made the Rangers’ Opening Day roster last season but only made eight starts and pitched in 10 games total, going 2-4 with a 7.41 ERA.

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