Texas Rangers Rehab Interview Part III: Mike Maddux

More Texas Rangers reinforcements are on the way.

Wednesday afternoon the Frisco Roughriders played one of those unpopular but existing 11:05 matinee baseball games. Players aren’t crazy about them, coaches, ushers and even the home plate umpire exited the game after the sixth inning due to the heat.

The crowd was nevertheless entertained. The Riders lost a wild game, 10-9 (moving to 1-1 in the second half of Texas League play) but the real showcase was the rehab starting assignments from Matt Harrison (back) and Josh Hamilton (hamstring).

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After the game, both players –as well as Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux— spoke to members of the media.

Maddux is in his seventh season as the pitching coach for the Texas Rangers, having started with the club in 2009. His pitching staffs have given up an average of 703.33 runs per season over his first six years, which is about 4.34 runs per game. This season, the staff is on pace to give up 693 runs (4.28 runs/game). In 2014, the Rangers set the franchise record by using 40 different pitchers during the season along with the franchise record for most position players used with 64.

This team has seen some great pitching performances from players like Nick Martinez, Chi Chi Gonzalez, Yovani Gallardo, and even some mixed in great games for Colby Lewis and Wandy Rodriguez. Maddux has done well with this staff and his job will become much easier if the Rangers are able to swing a trade for Cole Hamels.

Mike Maddux

at the Frisco RoughRiders games to check in on the rehab of

.

How was it to see Matt back out there pitching again?

It was good to see him out there. It’s been a while. We miss him. Good to see him, he got better as he went. Getting over his front better, a little more extension, and then the movement and location picked better for him later on in the game. Ran into some tough luck in the second inning (crazy two out hop at second base) but overall, (he) battled through the heat, it was fun to watch him and it was good to see him out there.

How close to Major League ready?

I think another start is gonna do him well. Get out there and start where he finished up, that’s what we just talked about. He was better later than he was earlier, so we just gotta hit the accelerator when he comes out of the shoots like he finished up.

Next step in Toronto for a bullpen? 

That’s the tentative plan right now. Beats flying to New Orleans (AAA game) to go throw or Corpus (AA) to go throw. Just hang out with us a couple times.

Next: Texas Rangers Rehab Interview Part II: Matt Harrison