Rangers Pass Over Kumar Rocker as Starter for Orioles Series Finale

The Texas Rangers only had two options to start Wednesday’s game in Baltimore. They went with the vet.

Late after Tuesday's victory over the Baltimore Orioles, Texas announced that it would start right-hander Nathan Eovaldi in Wednesday’s finale as the Rangers seek a series sweep for the first time this season.

That means that the earliest that right-hander Kumar Rocker will make his season debut will be Friday when the Rangers host the Cincinnati Reds in their home opener at Globe Life Field.

It's a notable omission only in that Rocker is the only member of the five-man rotation who hasn't started a game yet. At one point he was Tuesday's probable starter. But after Jacob deGrom had neck stiffness before his scheduled start on Saturday and he was pushed back, the Rangers adjusted the rotation.

Texas can start Eovaldi on normal rest because of an off day in Philadelphia. He'll be the first member of the rotation to start two games.

The Rangers are off on Thursday so it's unlikely they will set their probable pitchers for this weekend’s series until late Thursday or early Friday. It's still not clear when Rocker will make his season debut.

After a down year offensively in 2025, the Rangers have started this season by scoring at least five runs in their last four games, which includes a four-game winning streak. They hope to extend that on Wednesday in Baltimore.

Here is everything to get fans ready for Wednesday’s game.

Texas Rangers Lineup vs. Orioles for April 1

Texas Rangers left fielder Brandon Nimmo swings his bat during a game. — Texas Rangers left fielder Brandon Nimmo. | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

RF Brandon Nimmo (L)

LF Wyatt Langford

SS Corey Seager (L)

1B Jake Burger

DH Andrew McCutchen

C Danny Jansen

3B Josh Jung

2B Ezequiel Duran

LF Sam Haggerty

Pitching Matchup

Rangers RHP Nathan Eovaldi (0-1, 9.64) vs. Orioles LHP Trevor Rogers (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Eovaldi started on opening day for the Rangers, and it admittedly was not his best work. He went 4.2 innings, allowed eight hits and five earned runs. He didn't walk a hitter and struck out seven, but he left the game before the end of the fifth inning, and he put the Rangers in a hole they couldn't dig out of. It was an uncharacteristic afternoon, and he’ll be looking for a bounce-back outing.

Rogers was Baltimore’s opening day starter, and he has a sparkling beginning to his season. He allowed three hits and four walks in seven innings, without allowing a run. He also struck out five hitters. He's already well on his way to equaling his career season of a year ago, when he went 9-3 with a 1.81 ERA.

Today’s Game

Time: 11:35 a.m. CT

Where: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore

Records: Texas, 4-1; Baltimore: 2-3.

TV: Rangers Sports Network. Game can be streamed on Victory+

Radio: KRLD 1080, KFLC 1270

Rangers Injuries

10-Day Injured List: INF Cody Freeman (lumbar stress reaction); 15-Day Injured List: LHP Cody Bradford (left UCL surgery); 60-Day Injured List: LHP Jordan Montgomery (Tommy John surgery)