Rangers' Michael Lorenzen: Fires seven shutout frames
Rotowire
Lorenzen allowed a hit and four walks over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision Monday. He struck out four during the loss to Cleveland.
Lorenzen struggled with his command but continually evaded danger and turned in his best -- and longest -- start of the year. Unfortunately for him, the Rangers were shut out, preventing him from getting back in the win column. He's produced quality starts in three of his six outings this season and lowered his ERA to 3.75 through 36 frames. Lorenzen's next start is projected to be at home against the Angels this weekend.
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Rangers' Evan Carter: Receiving cortisone shot
Rotowire
Carter's MRI revealed inflammation in his lower back, and he'll get a cortisone shot Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.
This is positive news for the Rangers, as Carter could be back in the lineup within a few days if all goes well following the cortisone injection. He'll continue to be considered day-to-day until more information surfaces.
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Rangers' Cody Bradford: Throws Monday, but far off return
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Bradford (ribs) played catch Monday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.
According to MLB.com, manager Bruce Bochy said Friday that Bradford could be cleared to begin throwing off a mound at some point later on this week during the Rangers' six-game homestand. Bradford was originally placed on the 15-day injured list April 14 with lower-back soreness, but follow-up tests revealed that the southpaw had a "very small" stress fracture on the 12th rib on the right side of his body. Bochy said that the Rangers are expecting Bradford to be sidelined for another month, which would put him in line for a return around the middle of June. Bradford went 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA in three starts prior to landing on the IL, but the Rangers may not have a rotation spot available for him once he's healthy.
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Rangers' Nathan Eovaldi: Might throw off mound this weekend
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Eovaldi (groin) could be ready to throw off a mound this weekend, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.
Eovaldi did some more flat-ground throwing Monday and might be ready to take the next step forward by getting back on a mound to toss a bullpen session. While he looks to be trending in the right direction, Eovaldi doesn't look as though he'll be ready to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible on Saturday. He's coming back from a strained right groin.
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Rangers' Evan Carter: Undergoing MRI on injured back
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Carter will undergo an MRI on his back Monday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.
Carter is out of the lineup for a fourth straight game Monday against the Guardians, with the last three absences due to a lower-back problem. The fact that the injury has necessitated an MRI points to a possible stint on the 10-day injured list, but more information on Carter's should be known once the results are in. Ezequiel Duran will start in left field for the Rangers on Monday.
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Rangers' Wyatt Langford: Running at 85-to-90 percent
Rotowire
Langford (hamstring) said Monday that he's now able to run at about 85-to-90 percent speed, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Langford also added that he began swinging a bat this past Friday. The next step for the rookie will be to incorporate more explosive running to test out his strained right hamstring. Langford is one week into a projected 3-to-4-week recovery timeline, so his return from the 10-day injured list isn't imminent.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Plays catch Monday
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Dunning (shoulder) played catch from 90 feet Monday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Dunning landed on the 15-day injured list last week with a right rotator cuff strain, but he said after Monday's throwing session that his pitching arm is feeling stronger. His stint on the IL isn't expected to be a long one, but he'll need to go through a full throwing progression before being activated.
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Rangers' Evan Carter: Remains out with injury Monday
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Carter (back) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians.
Carter is on the bench for the fourth game in a row, with each of the last three absences being attributed to lower-back stiffness. The Rangers are still labeling the 21-year-old as day-to-day, but a trip to the 10-day injured list shouldn't be discounted, given that the team was concerned enough about the issue to have Carter visit with a back specialist Monday, per ESPN.com. Carter previously dealt with a stress fracture in his back during the 2021 season.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Starting Tuesday versus Cleveland
Rotowire
Leiter will be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to start Tuesday against the Guardians.
Leiter hasn't fared well in either of his first two major-league starts, allowing a total of 11 earned runs with a 6:3 K:BB over 7.2 innings in matchups with the Tigers and Athletics. However, with Nathan Eovaldi (groin), Dane Dunning (shoulder) and Max Scherzer (back) still on the mend, the Rangers will give the rookie right-hander another chance to prove he belongs in the big-league rotation. Eovaldi seems to have a shot to return from the 15-day injured list later this week, so Leiter could be sent back down again after Tuesday's outing.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Four straight multi-hit games
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Duran started at third base and went 2-for-3 with a walk in Sunday's 3-1 loss to Colorado.
Duran made a fifth consecutive start and has hit safely in all five, including multiple hits in the last four of those contests. It's a relatively light hitting streak; he's 10-for-17 during that stretch with with just one RBI and 10 singles. Still, opportunity matters. With playing time available at third base, left field and designated hitter due to injuries, Duran has started seven of the last eight games.
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Rangers' Robbie Grossman: Starts in left field Sunday
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Grossman started in left field and went 1-for-4 in Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Rockies.
Grossman was the third different starter in left field in as many games. He followed Ezequiel Duran and Travis Jankowski, as manager Bruce Bochy navigates injuries to Evan Carter (back) and Wyatt Langford (hamstring, IL). This was Grossman's second start in three games since he was traded to Texas from the White Sox last week -- the other was as designated hitter.
Urena (1-3) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over 6.2 innings, but he took the loss Sunday versus the Rockies.
Urena pitched well, especially given the unfriendly venue, in his second start of the campaign. He's allowed four runs (three earned) with a 5:3 K:BB over 11.2 innings across two starts since moving into the rotation. Urena has a 3.62 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 21:12 K:BB over 32.1 innings across 12 appearances this season, though he began the year as a long reliever. If Nathan Eovaldi (groin) can return when first eligible May 18, Urena will likely return to the bullpen. A pair of off days (Thursday and Monday, May 20) could also allow the Rangers to get by with a four-man rotation temporarily, though Urena's pitched well enough that it wouldn't be odd to see him get another start.
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Rangers' Evan Carter: Held out for third straight game
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Carter (back) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.
With lefty Austin Gomber starting for Colorado in Friday's 4-2 loss, Carter was held out of the starting nine, but he logged an at-bat off the bench as a pinch-hitter. He may have tweaked his back at some point during that appearance, however, as he'll remain on the bench for a third straight day. Robbie Grossman will fill in for the banged-up Carter in left field.
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Rangers' Josh Smith: Sitting against southpaw
Rotowire
Smith is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Rockies.
The lefty-hitting Smith went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Saturday's 8-3 loss. He will begin Sunday's contest on the bench as the Rockies send out southpaw Ty Blach. Ezequiel Duran will fill in for Smith at third base.
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Rangers' David Robertson: Charged with blown save, loss
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Robertson (2-1) had a blown save and was the losing pitcher in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Rockies. The reliever failed to record an out and was charged with four runs on two hits, a walk and a hit batter.
The usually reliable Robertson entered with the Rangers holding a 3-2 lead, a runner on second base and two outs. As rain began to fall, he yielded a run-scoring single to the first batter he faced. After a wild pitch, another RBI single, a hit batsman and a walk, Robertson was removed with the bases loaded. The right-hander, who entered the game with a 0.87 ERA, threw just 11 strikes among 22 pitches.
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Rangers' Travis Jankowski: Starts in left field Saturday
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Jankowski started in left field and went 0-for-4 in Saturday's 8-3 loss to Colorado.
Jankowski stepped into the lineup for Evan Carter, who developed lower-back stiffness Saturday. Carter, who has been the primary left fielder against right-handers, joined Wyatt Langford (hamstring, IL) as unavailable outfielders. If Carter faces an extended absence, Jankowski, Ezequiel Duran and Robbie Grossman are in the mix for starts in left field.
