Kumar Rocker

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Opening season as fifth starter

  Rotowire Mar 23, 2026

  Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said Monday that Rocker will be included on the Opening Day roster as the team's fifth starter, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports. Jacob Latz will begin the season in the bullpen after Rocker beat him out for the final spot in the Texas rotation. Rocker was relegated to the minors for the final two months of the 2025 season but delivered generally positive results this spring, finishing Cactus League play with a 4.26 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB in 12.2 innings across four appearances.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Still has work to do

  Rotowire Mar 22, 2026

  Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Saturday that Rocker has issues he need to work on, as he considers which pitcher will win the final spot in the rotation, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. Rocker's final two spring starts were very good in terms of results, but the manager specifically called out the right-hander's reluctance to incorporate a changeup this spring and his need to control the running game. Rocker has thrown just eight changeups among 185 pitches (4.3 percent) this spring and allowed five successful steals over 12.2 innings. His main competition for the rotation is lefty Jacob Latz, who has had his own struggles in camp, with non-roster veterans Austin Gomber and Cal Quantrill also in the mix.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Finishes strong

  Rotowire Mar 19, 2026

  Rocker allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out six over four innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Royals. Texas manager Skip Schumaker was pleased with Rocker's final Cactus League start. "Rocker was pretty electric," Schumaker told Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News. "His slider at times was, I don't want to say unhittable, but as good as there is in the game." Indeed, the right-hander's slider played and generated nine whiffs on in the 12 times he threw the pitch. On the negative side, only 40 of his 70 pitches landed in the zone, and he allowed three stolen bases, but the manager classified it as a "really good outing." Rocker finished the spring on the high note, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out 11 over eight innings. He and Jacob Latz remain in the hunt for the final spot in the rotation.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Works three innings

  Rotowire Mar 5, 2026

  Rocker allowed one run on seven hits while striking out one over three innings in Wednesday's spring exhibition against Team Brazil. This was the third time on a mound this spring for Rocker, who followed starter Jacob deGrom. The statistics in World Baseball Classic exhibitions don't count against an MLB player's results, but it should be noted that Rocker has allowed 14 hits over 7.2 innings of work thus far. He also allowed five hits on two-strike counts. On a more positive note, the right-hander used an in-development changeup six times and mixed in all five of his offerings. Rocker remains in the mix for the final spot in the rotation with Jacob Latz.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: So-so outing Thursday

  Rotowire Feb 27, 2026

  Rocker allowed two runs on five hits while striking out one over 2.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Brewers. He also hit a batter. There was much to like about Rocker's second Cactus League outing. He threw first-pitch strikes to seven of 13 batters and worked out of trouble in the first two innings. Getting ahead early and more use of his changeup have been areas that manager Skip Schumaker is looking for Rocker to focus on. The manager saw the strike-throwing Thursday, but the right-hander did not throw a changeup. "He's still continuing to try and develop," Schumaker told Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News. "He needs that pitch to be successful. That's why I don't really care so much about the results. We all want to see that changeup." Rocker needs to pitch well during spring training to earn a spot in the rotation, but he also needs more in his arsenal than just a slider and fastball.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Competing for rotation spot

  Rotowire Feb 10, 2026

  Rocker enters spring training as a competitor for a spot in the starting rotation, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. Rocker broke camp last season in the rotation but experienced an injury and mechanical issues on his way to a 5.74 ERA across 64.1 innings. The 26-year-old right-hander was eventually optioned to Triple-A Round Rock in August and shut down shortly thereafter to refine his mechanics. "Kumar is in a really good spot," Rangers general manager Ross Fenstermaker said. "I think last offseason, maybe, he got away from some things that he needed to do to have success. This offseason, he's gotten back to those things." The organization's acquisition of MacKenzie Gore left one rotation spot available, with Rocker and Jacob Latz viewed as the primary candidates.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Lasts just four frames Saturday

  Rotowire Jul 27, 2025

  Rocker allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five batters over four innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Saturday. Rocker had a rocky first inning, walking two batters and allowing a pair of singles to yield a run, but he escaped what could have been a worse frame when Matt Olson was thrown out at home plate. Rocker gave up another run in the second before rebounding with a 1-2-3 third, but he was scored upon again in his fourth and final inning. Overall, the right-hander needed 95 pitches to retire 12 batters, and this was his shortest outing since he went 3.1 frames against Tampa Bay on June 4. Rocker had been pitching pretty well coming into Saturday, surrendering two or fewer runs while going at least five innings in five of his previous six starts, so his rotation spot is secure despite Saturday's clunker. He's scheduled to make his next start on the road in Seattle.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Tosses 6.1 strong frames

  Rotowire Jul 20, 2025

  Rocker (4-4) earned the win over Detroit on Saturday, allowing one hit and issuing three walks while striking out five batters over 6.1 scoreless innings. Rocker was pounded by the Angels for six runs over 4.1 frames in his previous start, but he bounced back in fine fashion Saturday. The righty was pitching a no-hitter until Wenceel Perez tagged him for a two-out single in the sixth inning, and that was the only base knock Rocker ending up allowing. The second-year hurler finished with 13 whiffs and notched his third quality start of the campaign. Rocker still has a poor 5.66 ERA on the season, but this was a promising outing as he looks to turn things around in the second half.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Rocked by Angels

  Rotowire Jul 10, 2025

  Rocker allowed six runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Angels on Wednesday. Rocker was staked to a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning, but he couldn't hold the advantage. The right-hander was tagged for six runs over the third through fifth frames, serving up three homers -- including two to Mike Trout -- along the way. The six earned runs tied a season-worst mark for Rocker, with the other such instance coming in his season debut March 31 versus Cincinnati. Wednesday's poor outing snapped what had been a pretty strong run for Rocker, as he entered the day having posted a 2.49 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over his previous four starts.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Allows two runs in no-decision

  Rotowire Jul 4, 2025

  Rocker took a no-decision after throwing 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four, during Friday's 3-2 loss the Padres. Rocker struggled in his first start after being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock, but he has been much better in the four starts since. The 25-year-old hurler has allowed just six runs in his last 21.2 innings while striking out 20 batters. It's the most consistent stretch of pitching the right-hander has displayed at the MLB level, and he's looking more and more like the pitcher the Rangers drafted him to be in the first round back in 2022. Rocker is scheduled to make his next start on the road at the Angels next week.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Logs quality start in no-decision

  Rotowire Jun 28, 2025

  Rocker did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Mariners, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts over six innings. Rocker threw 67 of 97 pitches for strikes and induced 10 whiffs, falling a two-out single in the sixth inning short of potentially earning his third straight win. The 25-year-old notched his first quality start since April 17 and has now allowed just four earned runs over his past three outings. He'll carry a 6.13 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB across 39.2 innings into a road matchup with the Padres next weekend.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Limits Pirates to two runs in win

  Rotowire Jun 21, 2025

  Rocker (3-4) earned the win against Pittsburgh on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four across 5.1 innings. Rocker was given a second shot in the rotation since Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) and Tyler Mahle (shoulder) are both still on the injured list. Rocker's first start this past Sunday against the White Sox was cut short due to cramping, but he didn't run into any such issues in Saturday's contest. He kept the Pirates off the board through the first four innings before giving up a run in each of the fifth and sixth frames, but he got enough run support to come away with the win. Eovaldi is expected to be activated off the IL during the Rangers' upcoming road series against the Orioles, but Rocker could get one more turn in the rotation if Mahle isn't cleared to return. That would put Rocker in line to start against the Mariners at home next weekend.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Getting another start Saturday

  Rotowire Jun 21, 2025

  Rocker is slated to start Saturday's game against the Pirates at PNC Park. The Rangers recalled Rocker from Triple-A Round Rock last weekend to make a start against the White Sox, and though he battled persistent cramping in his legs throughout the afternoon, he emerged from the outing with a win after striking out six batters over five shutout innings. With Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) and Tyler Mahle (shoulder) not yet ready to return from the injured list, Rocker will make his second turn through the rotation Saturday.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Start cut short by cramping

  Rotowire Jun 16, 2025

  Rocker (2-4) picked up the win Sunday against the White Sox, allowing four hits and one walk with six strikeouts over five innings. Rocker was visited on the mound three times in the fifth inning, twice by the training and coaching staff and once by a ball boy with pickle juice, in an attempt to stave off cramps, per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. While he'd finish out the inning, Rocker didn't return for the sixth frame, ending his day after just 82 pitches. Still, it was a strong performance for the 25-year-old, who came into the contest with an 8.87 ERA over six starts. Sunday's outing marked Rocker's first career scoreless outing and served as a bounce-back after he yielded five runs in each of his previous two appearances. He's set to temporarily fill Tyler Mahle's (shoulder) spot in the rotation, and his next start is scheduled to come at Pittsburgh.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Set for Sunday start

  Rotowire Jun 14, 2025

  Rocker will be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to start Sunday against the White Sox, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. Tyler Mahle was the scheduled starter for Sunday but is expected to be placed on the injured list due to shoulder soreness. That leaves the Rangers in need of a fifth starter, and Rocker will be tabbed for the role -- at least in the short term. The right-hander was recently activated from the injured list but struggled in a start June 4 with five earned runs allowed across 3.1 innings before being sent to the minors.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Optioned to Round Rock

  Rotowire Jun 5, 2025

  The Rangers optioned Rocker to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday. Rocker was shelled for five runs in just 3.1 innings during his start Wednesday against the Rays. Poor outings have become a common theme for the 25-year-old righty this season, who now owns an 8.87 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through six MLB starts. He'll attempt to find his footing in the minor leagues; meanwhile, Chris Martin (shoulder) will return from the injured list to fill the opening in Texas' pitching staff.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Activated ahead of start

  Rotowire Jun 4, 2025

  The Rangers activated Rocker (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday. Rocker is slated to rejoin the rotation Wednesday with a start against the Rays after being sidelined since late April with a right shoulder impingement. He threw only 53 pitches and four innings in his final rehab outing, so Rocker is likely to have a limited workload versus Tampa Bay.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Impressive in rehab start

  Rotowire May 31, 2025

  Rocker (shoulder) allowed one walk and struck out five over four hitless and scoreless innings for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday. Rocker was untouchable, retiring the first 12 batters faced before issuing a walk to lead off the fifth inning. That ended his night. It was Rocker's second rehab appearance, which followed three scoreless innings for Double-A Midland a week prior. After the Midland game, Texas manager Bruce Bochy estimated the right-hander would need a few more starts, and that may still be the case. Rocker threw 53 pitches in the Round Rock start.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Shifting rehab to Triple-A

  Rotowire May 27, 2025

  Rocker (shoulder) will transfer his rehab program to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports. Rocker made his first rehab outing with Double-A Frisco this past Friday, during which he allowed two hits and no walks while striking out three across three scoreless frames. The aim for Rocker on Thursday is to reach four innings and toss 60 pitches in Triple-A, and he'll likely need at least a few more appearances before being activated from the 15-day injured list.

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• Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Encouraging rehab start

  Rotowire May 24, 2025

  Rocker (shoulder) allowed two hits and no walks and struck out three over three scoreless innings Friday in a rehab start with Double-A Frisco. Rocker cruised Friday, making use of his full arsenal across his 34 pitches while sporting a fastball that sat around 96 to 98 miles per hour. Per MLB.com, manager Bruce Bochy said that the young right-hander will need at least a few more appearances in the minors before making his return from the 15-day injured list. Prior to being deactivated, Rocker turned in a 8.10 ERA and 1.75 WHIP over 20 innings, and he may not be a lock to reclaim a rotation spot once he returns from the IL with veteran lefty Patrick Corbin (3.59 ERA, 1.31 WHIP over eight starts) having thus far delivered decent results for the Rangers.

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