ARLINGTON \u2014 The idea of Kumar Rocker, with his hard fastball\/slider combo, as a potential closer may be intriguing.<\/p>\n
There is just one issue with this: The Texas Rangers<\/a> are definitely not considering it, President of baseball operations Chris Young, the one person with the absolute authority to make that decision, said Monday. <\/p>\n Without speaking in absolutes, Young gave every indication that weekend reports of the Rangers considering Rocker as a closer were false. <\/p>\n The Dallas Morning News first reported that Rocker, along with Cody Bradford or Jon Gray, could be used in some relief situations<\/a>, if needed, as emergency re-enforcements, after they returned. Over the weekend, USA Today reported the Rangers were contemplating Rocker as closer. <\/p>\n Rangers<\/p>\n \u201cWe see him as an MLB starter in the short- and long-term,\u201d Young told the Morning News Monday. \u201cIs there a way we need him in some capacity in the bullpen? Perhaps, but that is neither the focus nor the plan. We\u2019ve not talked about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Bochy acknowledged the bullpen could be a possibility \u201cas an option, if there is a need; we will stay flexible,\u201d but said there had been zero discussion about transitioning Rocker to long-term relief or closing.<\/p>\n The bottom line: The season\u2019s needs can require adjustment on the fly but there is no thought to a significant role change for Rocker.<\/p>\n Rocker is scheduled to make his second rehab start<\/a> for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday. He is scheduled to pitch four innings in that game. Of the trio of injured starters, Rocker is the closest to returning. <\/p>\n The timing could coincide with a pinch in the bullpen that could allow the Rangers to bring him back more quickly for some short relief roles, if the bullpen continues to be an issue. <\/p>\n On Monday, manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged that he was \u201cbacking off\u201d Luke Jackson as the primary closer. Jackson had pitched in middle-relief roles over the weekend after several rough outings in the bullpen. <\/p>\n Last week, Young told The News of the Rangers potentially using Rocker, Gray or Bradford in a temporary relief role. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re looking to win. We have to consider all of our best arms,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n 5 things we learned about the Rangers this week: Taking stock after a third of the season<\/a>Mercedes Mone, \u2018Hangman\u2019 Adam Page punch tickets to AEW All In: Texas main events<\/a><\/p>\n