Texas Rangers trying to add bullpen depth with Daniel McCutchen

Surprise, Ariz – The Texas Rangers bullpen is starting to get a little thin after plucking Robbie Ross and Tanner Scheppers from it. It appears now that Daniel McCutchen now has a chance to be placed in the bullpen. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Surprise, Ariz – The Texas Rangers bullpen is starting to get a little thin after plucking Robbie Ross and Tanner Scheppers from it.  It appears now that Daniel McCutchen now has a chance to be placed in the bullpen.

McCutchen is currently trying to make the pen as mid-reliever.  With under a week to go in spring training, he’ll have to show the Rangers he’s up for the job quickly.  The Rangers’ bullpen is now starting to look empty after plucking two of their best pitchers from it and it is likely they’ll also pull Alexi Ogando out of the pen to join the starting rotation since Yu Darvish is likely to go on the disabled listed.

The Rangers are looking hard and fast for someone that can join the team and carry them until Derek Holland, Colby Lewis and/or Matt Harrison can return.  Thad Levine talked about McCutchen and what the team thinks about him.

"“He is a guy who has impressed each time he has come over,” assistant general manager Thad Levine said. “As we build our 12-man staff and moved relievers into the rotation, we have not left ourselves with many multi-inning options.” (MLB.com – T.R. Sullivan)"

Daniel McCutchen could be a short-term solution unless he is able to establish himself as a solid pitcher in the bullpen.  Once Holland, Lewis and/or Harrison return, it is likely that Ogando, Ross and/or Scheppers will return to the bullpen.   Once that happens, the Rangers will again have one of the best pens in the league.

The Texas Rangers didn’t waste anytime getting to see what Daniel McCutchen can do.  He pitched in Monday’s game against the Oakland Athletics.  He went 2 inning and 2 strikes outs over 33 pitches/23 for strikes.

He spent 2013 in the minors.  He did have a good year with the pirates in 2011 with the Pittsburgh Pirates when he posted an ERA of 3.72 over 72 games/84.2 innings and recorded 47 strikes outs.

Washington hasn’t said if he has made a spot on the roster yet, but the Texas Rangers could use the righty if he’s able to do the job.