Just a quick post as there has been some news come out this afternoon on the Rangers.
First Anthony Ranaudo will get the first shot to fill in for Derek Holland. He will pitch tomorrow in the finale against the Angels. He pitched last Thursday for the Round Rock Express and went 5 innings, giving up 4 hits, 0 runs, and 6 K’s, and 0 BB’s. He will have to show that same type of control as he will be making 8th major league start. He made 7 starts last season for the Red Sox and went 4-3 with a 4.81 ERA, he pitched 39.1 innings, giving up 10 home runs, walking 16, and striking out 15. He does have potential though as he went 14-4 with a 2.61 ERA for their AAA team last season. That is why the Rangers brought him in and so he will get the first shot and if it goes well tomorrow it is likely that he would stay for the time being. If it doesn’t Chi Chi Gonzalez, Jake Thompson, Luke Jackson, and others will be waiting for their chance at a spot in the rotation. There is no word on what the corresponding roster move will be. That will come out tomorrow afternoon likely.
Finally, Jeff Banister is switching up the lineup again in order to get the bats going. Roughned Odor will be your leadoff hitter, Mitch Moreland will bat 2nd, and Leonys Martin will drop down to 8th. Martin is in the middle of a 2-28 slump and is not being the sparkplug the Rangers had hoped for. It is clear Banister is still trying to get a feel for this team and is willing to try whatever it takes to get the offense moving. It should be interesting to see if this move works and if the offense can finally get on track. First pitch is 7:05 tonight and it will be Nick Martinez on the mound against Drew Rucinski.