Rocker (4-4) earned the win over Detroit on Saturday, allowing one hit and issuing three walks while striking out five batters over 6.1 scoreless innings.
Rocker was pounded by the Angels for six runs over 4.1 frames in his previous start, but he bounced back in fine fashion Saturday. The righty was pitching a no-hitter until Wenceel Perez tagged him for a two-out single in the sixth inning, and that was the only base knock Rocker ending up allowing. The second-year hurler finished with 13 whiffs and notched his third quality start of the campaign. Rocker still has a poor 5.66 ERA on the season, but this was a very promising outing as he looks to turn things around in the second half.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Rocked by Angels
Rotowire
Rocker allowed six runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Angels on Wednesday.
Rocker was staked to a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning, but he couldn't hold the advantage. The right-hander was tagged for six runs over the third through fifth frames, serving up three homers -- including two to Mike Trout -- along the way. The six earned runs tied a season-worst mark for Rocker, with the other such instance coming in his season debut March 31 versus Cincinnati. Wednesday's poor outing snapped what had been a pretty strong run for Rocker, as he entered the day having posted a 2.49 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over his previous four starts.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Allows two runs in no-decision
Rotowire
Rocker took a no-decision after throwing 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four, during Friday's 3-2 loss the Padres.
Rocker struggled in his first start after being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock, but he has been much better in the four starts since. The 25-year-old hurler has allowed just six runs in his last 21.2 innings while striking out 20 batters. It's the most consistent stretch of pitching the right-hander has displayed at the MLB level, and he's looking more and more like the pitcher the Rangers drafted him to be in the first round back in 2022. Rocker is scheduled to make his next start on the road at the Angels next week.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Logs quality start in no-decision
Rotowire
Rocker did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Mariners, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts over six innings.
Rocker threw 67 of 97 pitches for strikes and induced 10 whiffs, falling a two-out single in the sixth inning short of potentially earning his third straight win. The 25-year-old notched his first quality start since April 17 and has now allowed just four earned runs over his past three outings. He'll carry a 6.13 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB across 39.2 innings into a road matchup with the Padres next weekend.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Limits Pirates to two runs in win
Rotowire
Rocker (3-4) earned the win against Pittsburgh on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four across 5.1 innings.
Rocker was given a second shot in the rotation since Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) and Tyler Mahle (shoulder) are both still on the injured list. Rocker's first start this past Sunday against the White Sox was cut short due to cramping, but he didn't run into any such issues in Saturday's contest. He kept the Pirates off the board through the first four innings before giving up a run in each of the fifth and sixth frames, but he got enough run support to come away with the win. Eovaldi is expected to be activated off the IL during the Rangers' upcoming road series against the Orioles, but Rocker could get one more turn in the rotation if Mahle isn't cleared to return. That would put Rocker in line to start against the Mariners at home next weekend.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Getting another start Saturday
Rotowire
Rocker is slated to start Saturday's game against the Pirates at PNC Park.
The Rangers recalled Rocker from Triple-A Round Rock last weekend to make a start against the White Sox, and though he battled persistent cramping in his legs throughout the afternoon, he emerged from the outing with a win after striking out six batters over five shutout innings. With Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) and Tyler Mahle (shoulder) not yet ready to return from the injured list, Rocker will make his second turn through the rotation Saturday.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Start cut short by cramping
Rotowire
Rocker (2-4) picked up the win Sunday against the White Sox, allowing four hits and one walk with six strikeouts over five innings.
Rocker was visited on the mound three times in the fifth inning, twice by the training and coaching staff and once by a ball boy with pickle juice, in an attempt to stave off cramps, per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. While he'd finish out the inning, Rocker didn't return for the sixth frame, ending his day after just 82 pitches. Still, it was a strong performance for the 25-year-old, who came into the contest with an 8.87 ERA over six starts. Sunday's outing marked Rocker's first career scoreless outing and served as a bounce-back after he yielded five runs in each of his previous two appearances. He's set to temporarily fill Tyler Mahle's (shoulder) spot in the rotation, and his next start is scheduled to come at Pittsburgh.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Set for Sunday start
Rotowire
Rocker will be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to start Sunday against the White Sox, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Tyler Mahle was the scheduled starter for Sunday but is expected to be placed on the injured list due to shoulder soreness. That leaves the Rangers in need of a fifth starter, and Rocker will be tabbed for the role -- at least in the short term. The right-hander was recently activated from the injured list but struggled in a start June 4 with five earned runs allowed across 3.1 innings before being sent to the minors.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Promoted for Sunday's start
Rotowire
The Rangers recalled Rocker from Triple-A Round Rock in advance of his start Sunday against the White Sox.
The right-hander will step into Texas' rotation Sunday with Tyler Mahle (shoulder) landing on the injured list in a corresponding transaction. Rocker has yet to find his footing through six major-league starts this season with an 8.87 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB over 23.1 innings, but he'll have a favorable matchup Sunday to potentially get on track.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Could be summoned to start Sunday
Rotowire
Rocker is with the Rangers in Texas and could be asked to start Sunday versus the White Sox if Tyler Mahle (shoulder) is unable to pitch, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Though Rocker is with the team, no roster move has been made, so for now he is a contingency plan. Mahle felt some shoulder soreness during his most recent start Tuesday, but it's not yet clear if the issue is serious enough to prevent him from making his scheduled start Sunday. If Rocker is ultimately recalled to start, it would be his first appearance with the big club since he gave up five runs over 3.1 innings in a loss against Tampa Bay on June 4.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Optioned to Round Rock
Rotowire
The Rangers optioned Rocker to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.
Rocker was shelled for five runs in just 3.1 innings during his start Wednesday against the Rays. Poor outings have become a common theme for the 25-year-old righty this season, who now owns an 8.87 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through six MLB starts. He'll attempt to find his footing in the minor leagues; meanwhile, Chris Martin (shoulder) will return from the injured list to fill the opening in Texas' pitching staff.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Hit hard in return Wednesday
Rotowire
Rocker (1-4) was saddled with the loss Wednesday against the Rays after giving up five runs on six hits and two walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out five.
The hard-throwing right-hander's velocity was encouraging in his first MLB start since April 23, as Rocker induced 16 whiffs and was able to touch 99 mph twice with his sinker, but his return from a right shoulder impingement was still a rocky one overall. Three of his six hits allowed went for extra bases, and Rocker notably failed to cover first base on a groundball that allowed two runs to score with two outs in the third inning. He'll bring a ghastly 8.87 ERA and 1.84 WHIP with 21 strikeouts across 23.1 innings into his next scheduled outing against the Twins, currently projected for early next week.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Activated ahead of start
Rotowire
The Rangers activated Rocker (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Rocker is slated to rejoin the rotation Wednesday with a start against the Rays after being sidelined since late April with a right shoulder impingement. He threw only 53 pitches and four innings in his final rehab outing, so Rocker is likely to have a limited workload versus Tampa Bay.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Set to rejoin rotation
Rotowire
Rocker (shoulder) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday against the Rays, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
The right-hander seemed likely require at least one additional rehab outing after throwing 53 pitches over four scoreless innings Thursday for Triple-A Round Rock, but he'll instead rejoin the Rangers with Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) placed on the injured list Sunday. Rocker figures to have some workload limitations in his first start back in the majors, but he pitched well in his two rehab outings with an 8:1 K:BB across seven shutout innings.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Impressive in rehab start
Rotowire
Rocker (shoulder) allowed one walk and struck out five over four hitless and scoreless innings for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.
Rocker was untouchable, retiring the first 12 batters faced before issuing a walk to lead off the fifth inning. That ended his night. It was Rocker's second rehab appearance, which followed three scoreless innings for Double-A Midland a week prior. After the Midland game, Texas manager Bruce Bochy estimated the right-hander would need a few more starts, and that may still be the case. Rocker threw 53 pitches in the Round Rock start.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Shifting rehab to Triple-A
Rotowire
Rocker (shoulder) will transfer his rehab program to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Rocker made his first rehab outing with Double-A Frisco this past Friday, during which he allowed two hits and no walks while striking out three across three scoreless frames. The aim for Rocker on Thursday is to reach four innings and toss 60 pitches in Triple-A, and he'll likely need at least a few more appearances before being activated from the 15-day injured list.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Encouraging rehab start
Rotowire
Rocker (shoulder) allowed two hits and no walks and struck out three over three scoreless innings Friday in a rehab start with Double-A Frisco.
Rocker cruised Friday, making use of his full arsenal across his 34 pitches while sporting a fastball that sat around 96 to 98 miles per hour. Per MLB.com, manager Bruce Bochy said that the young right-hander will need at least a few more appearances in the minors before making his return from the 15-day injured list. Prior to being deactivated, Rocker turned in a 8.10 ERA and 1.75 WHIP over 20 innings, and he may not be a lock to reclaim a rotation spot once he returns from the IL with veteran lefty Patrick Corbin (3.59 ERA, 1.31 WHIP over eight starts) having thus far delivered decent results for the Rangers.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Starting rehab assignment
Rotowire
Rocker (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Friday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Rocker has been sidelined since late April with a right shoulder impingement but has been cleared for rehab games after getting through a live batting practice session earlier this week. He will need multiple rehab starts, assuming the Rangers intend to bring him back as a starting pitcher, but Grant raises the possibility that the club could accelerate Rocker's return by having him pitch in relief.
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Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Rehab assignment imminent
Rotowire
Rocker (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment later this week as long as he bounces back well from a two-inning live batting practice session he threw Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Rocker's stuff looked "good" Sunday, adding that the right-hander's rehab assignment will be a lengthy one as he gets stretched back out following a three-week shutdown period. Rocker has been out for almost four weeks with a right shoulder impingement. He logged an 8.10 ERA in his first five starts this season before the injury and wouldn't seem to be guaranteed a spot in the Texas rotation once he's activated from the 15-day injured list.
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