Texas Rangers Name Starter for Jacob deGrom Spot

The Texas Rangers will dip into their bullpen and tap a previous member of the starting rotation against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.

Dane Dunning will start for the Texas Rangers at the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, taking the spot in the rotation that belonged to injured ace Jacob deGrom.

Dunning last pitched in relief of deGrom on April 28 when the two-time Cy Young winner left the game in the fourth inning due to right forearm tightness. Dunning went 3 1/3 innings and earned his second win of the season.

Nathan Eovaldi and Martín Pérez are slated to start the next two games of Angels series. 

Dunning has been one of the Rangers’ best options out of the bullpen this season and is among the Major League leaders in relief innings. He is 2-0 with a 1.77 ERA. He’s given up 12 hits and five runs (four earned) in 20 1/3 innings, striking out 11 and walking five.

Dunning was a member of the Texas starting rotation in 2021 and 2022. Last season, he went 4-8 with a 4.46 ERA and needed hip surgery as the season ended.

He lost his job as the Rangers signed deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney, while also re-signing Martín Pérez.

Dunning worked as a starter during Spring Training, but started the season in the bullpen and became the top option for multiple-inning relief.

deGrom’s move to the 15-day injured list last Saturday due to right elbow inflammation means the ace will miss at least two turns. deGrom is not eligible to return from the injured list until May 14.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that deGrom was probably two weeks away from coming back. But deGrom is expected to make the 10-game road trip and begin a throwing program.

The Angels are scheduled to start Tyler Anderson (1-0, 5.74). First pitch from Anaheim is set for 8:38 p.m. CT.

More From SI’s Inside The Rangers:

1. Texas Rangers New Nike City Connect Jersey Pay Homage to Dallas-Fort Worth
2. Arlington Mayor Says Rougned Odor ‘Punch’ Mural to Stay
3. Texas Rangers Clubhouse ‘Insane’ Says Reliever
4. Texas Rangers MVP in 2023?
5. Predicting Texas Rangers 2023 Record
6. Jose Altuve Injury Potentially Helps Texas Rangers Playoff Chances
7. MLB Plan for Television Texas Rangers
8. Why did Bochy Tab deGrom for Opening Day?
9. Bally Sports Southwest to Televise Nearly All Rangers Games
10. Texas Rangers Unveil Exciting New Ballpark Food

---

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard

Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook and Twitter.