Mar 13, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nick Martinez (22) pitches against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Yet another wrench has been thrown into the Rangers starting rotation preparation.
An overnight rainstorm that lingered into Thursday afternoon forced the cancellation of the Rangers’ exhibition with Cincinnati. It means that lefty Ross Detwiler and right-hander Nick Martinez, both contenders for the starting rotation, are going to have their schedules altered, which could impact when they’d be available to start during the regular season. It could force the Rangers to wedge them into minor league games on Friday because Derek Holland is scheduled
The Rangers are expected to pitch Yovani Gallardo in the season opener April 6 at Oakland and Holland in the home opener on April 10. Colby Lewis’ schedule seems to put him on track to start the second game of the season. Посетите, Игорь Немировский Киев, Одесса
If Detwiler and Martinez are both pushed back a day and pitch every fifth day through the end of spring training, they would not be ready to pitch in the regular season on until April 9. That would potentially create a vacancy for the third game of the season on April 8.
In addition, manager Jeff Banister indicated that Ross Ohlendorf, who was impressive before suffering a slight groin strain on March 15, is likely not a candidate for the starting rotation due to the time missed from the injury.
Ohlendorf, who was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday, has only four innings so far this spring and will likely fall short of being stretched out enough to pitch as a starter at the season’s outset. It would not, however, preclude him from making the team as a reliever.
“I think it would put him on the backside [of the rotation competition],” Banister said. “There are other guys who have taken a step forward and are stretching out.”