Texas Rangers Options To Replace Jacob deGrom

The Texas Rangers will be without ace Jacob deGrom for the foreseeable future and need to reshuffle the rotation.

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers knew the risks when it came to signing Jacob deGrom to a five-year, $185 million deal at age 34. He’s missed considerable time each of the last two seasons due to injuries.

For the first time this season, the Rangers will feel the impact of that risk.

deGrom’s move to the 15-day injured list on Saturday due to right elbow inflammation means the ace will miss at least two turns in the rotation. His next scheduled start would have been on Friday at the Los Angeles Angels.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said no decision has been made yet about replacing deGrom’s slot in the rotation.

The good news is the Rangers have options, including two in the bullpen with starting experience — Dane Dunning and Cole Ragans.

“We knew how important it would be for the rotation because, you’ve heard me say — you take care of the starters and you take care of the relievers and they keep things in order and if something happens and we need a spot starter, then you have options,” manager Bruce Bochy said.

The Rangers signed deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney, all veteran pitchers, in the offseason to pair with Jon Gray and Martín Pérez.

Things went to plan coming out of Spring Training. All five were healthy and ready to pitch.

But situations like this are the reason why the Rangers stretched out Dunning, Ragans and Glenn Otto (currently on the 60-day injured list) as starters during Spring Training.

“Depth is so important during the season, so it’s nice to have that,” Bochy said.

Dunning would appear to be the most likely to step in. Oddly he’s claimed the win in both games where deGrom had to leave early due to a physical issue.

Dunning won his second game Friday after relieving deGrom in the fourth inning. Dunning went 3 1/3 innings and gave up two earned runs in a 5-2 win that snapped a four-game losing streak.

Dunning picked up his first win in relief on April 17 when deGrom left early with a wrist issue. Again, Dunning threw well, going 4 1/3 innings and giving up one hit and no runs while striking out five.

In fact, Dunning — pitching his first season in the bullpen as a pro — has been the Rangers’ best reliever. As of Saturday he leads the Majors in relief innings (20 1/3) and has a 1.77 ERA.

“I’m actually enjoying the role I’m in right now,” Dunning said. “It’s been a lot of fun. It’s definitely a lot different than starting, but the upside is I can get into any game now.”

Even if Dunning is enjoying it, he may be pressed into service as a starter next week.

“He’s off to a great start,” Young said. “He’s done a great job and we’re fortunate to have him to be able to slide into moments like this.”

Ragans is 2-1 with a 6.52 ERA. He earned his first MLB win in relief of deGrom on Opening Day and after a strong start this season — five shutout innings in his first five appearances — he’s allowed seven earned runs in his last two outings.

Dunning or Ragans, or another pitcher, could start Friday. But a quirk in the schedule could allow them to reduce the number of times deGrom is skipped in the rotation and influence the remaining starters.

The Rangers are off on Monday and Thursday, with two games against the Arizona Diamondbacks in between. The Rangers then leave for the west coast on a 10-game road trip that starts Friday. With the two off-days, the Rangers could use Saturday’s starter, Eovaldi, that Friday against the Los Angeles Angels and still give the right-hander an extra day of rest.

Or, the Rangers could use Pérez, Sunday’s starter, on his normal five days’ rest that Friday.

Whatever the Rangers decide, this upcoming stretch will be a challenge.

“All teams get tested,” Young said. “Good teams respond when you get tested. I’m excited to see our group respond.”

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard

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