ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers could be one step closer to a full rotation as early as this weekend.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said before Monday’s game vs. the Milwaukee Brewers that right-handed pitcher Tyler Mahle “could possibly start with us this weekend” during their series against the New York Mets. Mahle has not pitched in a big league game since June 10 and has spent the last three months on the injured list with right shoulder fatigue.
The 30-year-old could slide into the Texas rotation for Sunday’s finale. Right-hander Jacob deGrom (Friday) and left-hander Patrick Corbin (Saturday) are currently in line to pitch the first two games of the series.
Mahle threw 47 pitches in 2 1/3 scoreless innings Sunday at Triple-A Round Rock in his second minor league rehab start. Bochy believes that Mahle could throw upwards of 60 pitches in his next start if necessary.
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His fastball velocity ran nearly two miles per hour slower on average Sunday than it did before his injury. He believes that the big league atmosphere and a continued ramp-up will help spike his speed.
“Everything is elevated when you get in a big league game,” Mahle said. “It’s just the way it is. [Velocity] is a little better, you’re a little more locked in, your body feels lighter. That’s just the way it is but I definitely feel like I can get guys out.”
Bochy acknowledged that left-hander Jacob Latz, who is starting Monday’s game vs. the Brewers, could theoretically piggyback Mahle if the latter does indeed make his next start for the major league team. But, Bochy said, the return of Mahle could also allow the Rangers to use Latz in the versatile relief role that he’d been used in prior to a rash of injuries.
Mahle was off to a career-best start before his injury with a 2.34 ERA in 77 innings.
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