Rangers now have pitching problem with latest injury to top rotation arm

What has been a staple for the Texas Rangers all season long is now starting to crumble infront of our eyes due to injury concerns.

The starting pitching has been dealt it's tough share of blows in recent weeks beginning with Nathan Eovaldi's trip to the injured list and will continue with a likely IL stint of his own for Tyler Mahle.

While no official move has been made, the Rangers confirmed that Kumar Rocker will be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock and make the start for Texas in Sunday's series finale, a start that was expected to go to Mahle. However, Mahle reported some right shoulder soreness in between starts and it's speculated the right-hander will join Eovaldi on the IL.

Now the Mahle injury would mean less if Jon Gray and Cody Bradford were back from their injuries suffered in spring training but that's not the case. Now the rotation. is highlighted by injury prone Jacob deGrom, rookie Jack Leiter and Patrick Corbin.

What are the Rangers longer term options to fill the rotation?

Option 1: The simplest, yet most destructive answer

This is the path they are seemingly deciding to go with, at least for now. The return of right-hander Kumar Rocker to the rotation. It's unsure if this will be a one-time fill-in or the temporary plan moving forward but right now this is what it is.

Why is this an issue? Well Rocker is having a horrendous season in MLB. In six starts, he has a 1-4 record, 8.87 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and opponents are hitting .346 against him this year. His last start on June 4 in Tampa Bay was supposed to be the start of giving Texas length because of Eovaldi's injury, instead it turned into a quick trip back to Round Rock and a handful of Texas bullpen games.

Now, all of this seems negative but Rocker is simply not a big league pitcher yet. He needs time to figure things out but his stuff has big potential that he is a leading candidate to take a rotation spot for the time being.

Option 2: Return of Rangers 2023 pitcher of the year

That's right. Welcome back to the big leagues Mr. Dane Dunning. Once was DFA'd is now an option to rejoin the Rangers' rotation, whether it be for one or multiple starts.

Sitting down in Triple-A right now, Dunning has made 10 starts for the Express and it's been less than stellar when you consider he's facing minor league hitters. He has a 4.75 ERA in 41 2/3 innings of work.

Dunning did make a return to the big leagues on April 28, appearing in one game against the A's, where he three three innings and two earned runs in a 15-2 Texas blowout. He was then designated for assignment on April 30 and a few days later was back in Triple-A after going unclaimed.