Texas Rangers Set Rotation Behind Jacob deGrom

After deciding on Jacob deGrom for Opening Day, Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has the rotation outlined behind the ace.

Along with anointing Jacob deGrom as the Opening Day starter, Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy outlined the starting rotation for the first five games of the season.

Naturally, the order could change, but Bochy said Friday that the first run through the rotation basically set.

deGrom will face Philadelphia Phillies starter Aaron Nola on Thursday at Globe Life Field at 3:05 p.m. CT. An off-day follows before two more games with the defending National League champions.

Another free-agent signee, Nathan Eovaldi, will take Saturday, with last season's Texas ace, Martín Pérez, on the hill Sunday for a nationally-television ESPN broadcast at 6 p.m.

Bochy said there was some consideration of having Pérez start Opening Day, but held him back to Sunday after pitching in the World Baseball Classic.  It was more about timing than readiness, Bochy said. He expects Pérez to be able to throw 90 pitches.

The Rangers have three more home games against the Baltimore Orioles from April 3-5. Jon Gray, who won seven games last season, is expected to open that series followed by Andrew Heaney before getting back to deGrom on on six days’ rest.

Bochy wanted to break up the left-handers and right-handers, which is why Gray has the start between lefties Pérez and Heaney.

The Rangers return to Globe Life Field on Monday for the first of two exhibition games with the Kansas City Royals at 7:05 p.m.

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