Kumar Rocker\u2019s rehab outing on Thursday could have been better. <\/p>\n
But not by much. <\/p>\n
Rocker, returning from a shoulder impingement<\/a>, took a no-hitter into the fifth inning while facing Reno for Triple-A Round Rock. He was perfect through four innings, but walked the leadoff hitter in the fifth and was lifted with the no-hitter still intact.<\/p>\n The Rangers<\/a> had intended for Rocker to throw about four innings or 60 pitches. He was incredibly efficient and the club was able to give him the fifth \u201cup\u201d to continue stretching him out. He threw 53 pitches and struck out five.<\/p>\n Rangers<\/p>\n In two rehab outings over the last 10 days<\/a>, Rocker, 25, has allowed two hits in six-plus innings with just one walk and eight strikeouts. On Thursday, he threw mostly hard sinkers (averaging 95.2 mph) and what MLB Statcast labeled as \u201ccutters.\u201d His cutter and slider often confuse the Statcast system because they have very similar characteristics. Either way, his breaking ball velocity, averaging 88 mph, was up sharply from what it has been in the majors this season (84 mph). Of the 53 pitches he threw, all but four were labeled as sinkers or cutters. <\/p>\n The question still facing Rocker whenever he is activated, is what he will use for a third pitch. Rocker will often throw both two- and four-seam fastballs, but they are also similar in velocity and characteristics. His changeup, which averages 87.8 mph, currently doesn\u2019t have a great deal of speed variance from the cutter\/slider breaking ball. <\/p>\n The Rangers are expected to visit with Rocker on Friday to determine the next steps in his rehab. If he\u2019s going to return as a starter, it would be optimal for him to work up to 75 or 80 pitches. But the Rangers could be facing a pinch the next time through the rotation<\/a>, depending on Nathan Eovaldi\u2019s health after he left a start due to triceps tightness on Tuesday.<\/p>\n The Texas Rangers offense has been awful in 2025. What options are left for them?<\/a>Podcast: Stars on the brink, Rangers on the clock and the Paige Bueckers effect <\/a><\/p>\n Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here<\/a>.<\/p>\n