Texas Rangers Call Up Top Pitching Prospect Owen White

The Texas Rangers have an opening in their rotation after pushing back Jon Gray from his start Tuesday, with Owen White likely filling in.

The Texas Rangers will reportedly promote pitcher Owen White from their Double-A affiliate Frisco RoughRiders for Tuesday’s game with the Los Angeles Angels. 

White was just named the Texas League Pitcher of the Week. The Rangers have not officially announced the move. Because White is not on the Rangers’ 40-man roster, a corresponding move will be required.

White, the Rangers’ No. 2 overall prospect per MLB.com, would be making his MLB debut.

White tossed a season-high seven shutout innings in a start on Wednesday at Corpus Christi, giving up one hit, no runs and two walks. He also struck out six. White entered this week with a 2-3 record and a 3.54 ERA in 11 starts for the RoughRiders.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy announced Monday that Tuesday’s probable starter Jon Gray was being pushed back after developing a blister. It hasn’t impacted Gray’s performance on the mound. He is 6-2 with a 2.32 ERA this season.

Bochy wasn’t sure if Gray would just be pushed back a day or two or simply skip to his next start, which is projected for Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays.

After Monday’s 9-6 loss to the Angels, Bochy said that he and pitching coach Mike Maddux would talk about the plan for Tuesday’s starter.

The Rangers will probably look for chances to give starting pitchers an extra day here or there leading up to the All-Star Break. The Tampa Bay Rays series over the weekend began a stretch of 30 games in 31 days for the Rangers, with their only scheduled off day coming on June 22.

The Rangers will play 13 straight days before that off day. The last time the Rangers did that in May, they called up Cody Bradford from Triple-A to make a spot start and pushed each starter back a day.

The American League West-leading Rangers (41-24) and Angels (37-31) play the second of four games, with a 7:05 p.m. start at Globe Life Field. The Angels are starting Jaime Barria (2-2, 1.85).

The Athletic was the first to report the White promotion.

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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