Rocker validates Rangers\u2019 belief in him in \u201826 debut<\/p>\n
Published 11:11 pm Saturday, April 4, 2026<\/p>\n
ARLINGTON \u2014 It was equal parts what the Rangers hoped to see less of last season and what they\u2019d hoped to see more of last season.<\/p>\n
The offense looked legitimately flat for the first time in eight games in a 2-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field Saturday night. The Rangers took too many called third strikes, failed to move a runner past second base until it was down to the last strike and had a number of well-struck balls either tracked down by speedy outfielders or hit just short of the fence in an arena that favors those on the mound.<\/p>\n
It cued up the kind of sound bite that grew all-too repetitive a year ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just couldn\u2019t get anything together after a couple of hits or a walk or whatever,\u201d Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. \u201cWe just couldn\u2019t string anything together.\u201d<\/p>\n
It generated another that should soothe the organization\u2019s ears.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought he pitched today,\u201d Schumaker said. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t just trying to throw it by you, grip it and rip it type deal, like, he was pitching today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker, in his season debut after a somewhat wonky week-plus on the shelf, allowed two runs in five innings vs. the Reds and finished with four consecutive scoreless frames. He maintained his poise after a first inning in which the Reds capitalized on poor defense and scored two runs. He held base runners and was quick enough to home plate. He utilized his entire arsenal \u2014 even the pitch that remained a work-in-progress just weeks before \u2014 and positioned the Rangers for a win.<\/p>\n
It aligned with what the Rangers needed to see out of the former third overall draft selection after a rocky rookie season and a follow-up spring camp that carried a significant focus on development while he competed for the fifth starter role.<\/p>\n
Rocker, who had a 5.74 ERA last year, was optioned to the minor leagues midseason with a number of directives that included a more diverse pitch mix and enhanced focus on the mound. The Rangers believed he made enough progress in a six-week camp to earn a second-consecutive opening day roster spot.<\/p>\n
He validated that belief in his debut. Rocker hadn\u2019t pitched since he threw in an Arizona minor league exhibition after camp broke two weeks ago. He was available to work out of the bullpen on the club\u2019s six-game road trip that opened the regular season. His first inning Saturday night \u2014 in which the Reds scored twice on three singles and a play that was ruled a wild pitch \u2014 was an inauspicious open to a benevolent finish.<\/p>\n
He struck out Reds second baseman Matt McLain with his slider to strand a runner at first base in the second inning. He left runners on the corners in the third. He retired the side in order in the fourth. In the fifth, after McLain hit a leadoff single and reached third base with no outs on a throwing error from catcher Danny Jansen, he silenced the heart of Cincinnati\u2019s lineup for a scoreless frame.<\/p>\n
Rocker used his change-up to get shortstop Elly De La Cruz to ground out to shortstop Corey Seager with the infield pulled in. He ran a high four-seam fastball past first baseman Sal Stewart for the second out and got third baseman Eugenio Suarez to swing at a slider in the dirt for the third. He walked off the mound after his 80th and final pitch with a celebratory yell.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe really settled in,\u201d Schumaker said. \u201cThat fifth inning was, I think, a real growing moment for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
So was his pitch usage. Rocker, whose fastball-slider combination is dynamic when on, was urged to throw his change-up more in the spring. Rocker threw it just eight total times in Cactus League play. He threw it nine times vs. the Reds, elicited two first-pitch strikes with it and generated three swings and misses and was pushed to throw it more often by Jansen who, per Schumaker, \u201cgave him confidence that it was working.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs times kind of passed,\u201d Rocker said, \u201cI feel like I\u2019ve gotten a little more feel with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schumaker acknowledged that the staff \u201cprobably would have liked to have seen it thrown more\u201d in the spring. He also recognized that Rocker had an inclination to stick with what he knows best in order to make the roster.<\/p>\n
Saturday, at least, he threw like a player that can remain on one.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe went to the change-up more often,\u201d Schumaker said. \u201cHe just became a pitcher.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a92026 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.<\/p>\n
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