4 possibilities for the Rangers rotation when Kumar Rocker is ready to go

Kumar Rocker just made his first rehab start in his return from the injured list with Double-A Frisco on Friday. He looked good going three innings, surrendering just two hits and allowing no runs with three punch-outs.

The big right-hander is coming back from a shoulder impingement and is close to being 100%. When he is, the Rangers will have some decisions to make regarding their rotation. Here's a rundown of four things that could happen in the coming days.

What will the Rangers do when Kumar Rocker is fully healthy?

1. Stash him in the bullpen

This bullpen is circling the drain these days and could use whatever support it can get. Rocker could provide some much-needed relief, particularly in the middle innings, should one of the starters get in trouble early in the game.

A pipe dream would consist of Rocker being open to and becoming a potential closer for the Rangers, but that is highly unlikely as the organization has been getting him ready to throw 80-100 pitches a night as a starter.

2. He replaces Patrick Corbin in the 5th spot in the starting rotation

This would be a move that would see Rocker return to the last slot in the rotation which is where he was when he went on the IL. But, the way Corbin has come in and given the team quality starts and innings makes this swap out not as easy a decision.

The only spots that are even remotely in play for Rocker to return to the starting staff are at four or five. The top three guys are ensconced and Leiter is coming off a good 7-inning outing his last time out. Again, however, there is no guarantee that Rocker would be an upgrade over Corbin right now.

3. Go to a six -man starting rotation

Again, this is unlikely to happen given the rhythm that deGrom, Eovaldi, Mahle, Leiter and Corbin have established in the first two months of the season. Bruce Bochy is more of a stickler when it comes to handling his starters, and they have been the bell cow for the Rangers so far. So, if it ain't broke.

The only argument to be made for a six-man rotation would be to ensure the health of the rotation with an extra day in between starts, but that is also assuming that everyone stays healthy anyway.

4. Rocker will have to wait until there is an opening

This may be the most likely outcome when Rocker is eventually healthy. The only thing this team has been able to count on this season is the starting five. And Patrick Corbin has been a big part of their success.

It's kind of a nice problem to have as Rocker could get a full workload at Round Rock or Frisco, and serve as an insurance policy should one of the current starters get injured, or if they need a spot start for any reason.