Texas Rangers Opening Day Starter, Rotation Appear Set as Regular Season Looms

Despite minor injuries impacting Spring Training, the Texas Rangers have likely settled on a five-man rotation going into Opening Day.

Author:
Kade Kistner
Mar 20, 2023 6:19 PM EDT

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Texas Rangers

The anticipation is in the air for the Texas Rangers and their fans as Opening Day draws nearer. One of the most significant changes this season from years past is the starting rotation.

The Rangers added four starting pitchers to their roster during this past offseason via free agency, plus the re-signing of Martín Pérez. What was once a weakness and giant question mark heading into the 2023 MLB season is now arguably their greatest strength.

After a spring filled with injury questions, the rotation appears set.

Here is how the Rangers will likely lineup their rotation for the beginning of the season.

1. Jacob deGrom

Few surprises here. You don't sign a starter to a five-year, $185 million contract then ask him to take a backseat on Opening Day. Especially not one that, when healthy, might just be the best pitcher the game of baseball has ever seen.

After entering camp with some "left side soreness," deGrom has now made two starts for Texas this spring, one being his first MLB start on Sunday.

During his short spring training campaign deGrom has thrown 3 innings, allowed zero runs and struck out four. He has hit 100 mph on his fastball on numerous occasions and all four of his pitches have looked to be in midseason form.

He appears ready to take the ball Opening Day, but manager Bruce Bochy isn't fully tipping his hand just yet.

“We’re going to keep evaluating where he’s at," said Bochy. "It hasn’t been announced or whatever, but you know, not to skirt the issue. Before we do anything like that I want to be sure that we don’t try to push him or rush him. But is it a possibility? Sure. Very good possibility. But nothing’s been announced.”

A deGrom vs. Zack Wheeler matchup is exactly what we need to see when the Philadelphia Phillies visit Globe Life Field on March 30.

2. Nathan Eovaldi

Signed just after Christmas, the former Boston Red Sox ace will potentially slot in just behind deGrom to start the season. Much like deGrom, Eovaldi dealt with a spat of soreness in his left side that kept his spring workload short.

However, Eovaldi has made two starts and threw 5 1/3 innings without allowing a single hit and striking out nine. While deGrom's starts have received plenty of fanfare, Eovaldi has quietly been putting together an encouraging line.

Eovaldi's presence in the Rangers' rotation is what takes it from "good" to potentially "great."

3. Martín Pérez

There's not much to say about Pérez that we don't already know. He was the ace for Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic, and aside from one start against the United States, looked pretty good.

The lefty is back on a one-year qualifying offer worth $19.65 million after turning in a career year in 2022 in which he pitched 196.1 innings to the tune of a 2.89 ERA and 1.258 WHIP.

He is the anchor of this rotation and even as a third starter could garner Cy Young votes in 2023.

4. Jon Gray

Another returnee, Gray is an effective innings eater that can also turn some heads with his pure stuff. The largest concern with Gray, much like others in this rotation, is his health. He was only able to log 127 1/3 innings last season, but turned in a sub-4.00 ERA.

This spring he has thrown 9 innings of no-run baseball while striking out five.

If he can throw over 150-plus innings this coming season and maintain his proficiency, he will be a huge boon to the rotation.

5. Andrew Heaney

Heaney was signed to a two-year, $25 million contract this past winter. The lefty is the type of guy that has tantalizing stuff and talent, but has yet to put it altogether for an entire season. Only once in his career has he thrown over 150 innings and that was in 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels.

The oft-injured starting pitcher is hoping he can stay healthy and showcase his stuff this season.

During Spring Training, Heaney has thrown 7 1/3 innings while allowing four earned runs. However, he has struck out 11 highlighting that he does have stuff that plays up well. He will need to hone in on his command and control.

If he can achieve that, along with a relatively healthy campaign, he could be in line for a career season with the Rangers. Something both he and the club are betting on.

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