The Sports Xchange
MLB Team Report – Texas Rangers – INSIDE PITCH
It has been a long road for left-hander Neal Cotts.
Just four days shy of the fourth anniversary of his last major-league appearance, Cotts returned to the big leagues Tuesday when the Rangers purchased his contract from Triple-A Round Rock.
Despite the long absence, there is every opportunity for Cotts to create a significant role, even in a bullpen already crowded with left-handers. Cotts becomes the fourth lefty in the Rangers’ bullpen.
Two of the other three, however, have seen their roles diminished. Lefty Michael Kirkman has been moved into the long relief/mop-up role after struggling with command for the first seven weeks. Lefty Joseph Ortiz, who had a hot start to the season, has been hit hard lately and could shortly become a victim of his remaining minor league options.
“I always liked Neal Cotts,” manager Ron Washington said. “I’m glad Neal Cotts is healthy because I feel he can help us. The guy pitched in a World Series, has big-league experience, is a power lefty.”
The oft-injured Cotts, who missed two full seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery, has been unhittable for left-handers at Triple-A Round Rock. They are 0-for-30 against him, with three walks. Right-handed hitters batted .278 as Cotts compiled a 0.78 ERA for 23 innings.
Cotts was on the cusp of making the Rangers out of spring training in 2012, but a muscle strain suffered March 31 scuttled that. He missed two months and then struggled to find his command. The struggle extended to this spring.
“I’ve commanded the baseball a lot better than I did this spring,” Cotts said. “I thought my stuff was OK during the spring, but I was constantly behind in the count. I’ve done a better job since the season started.”
On Tuesday, he certainly made a solid first impression by retiring Oakland in order in the ninth, including C John Jason, the only lefty he faced.
Cotts was perhaps the AL’s most effective left-handed set-up man as a 25-year-old in 2005, helping the Chicago White Sox to their first World Series win in more than 80 years. He never really came close to repeating that success, however, and was traded to the Cubs in 2007 and two years later suffered a torn ligament in his elbow requiring Tommy John surgery. He missed 2010 and then failed a physical with the New York Yankees in 2011 and did not pitch the rest of the season.
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MLB Team Report – Texas Rangers – NOTES, QUOTES
RECORD: 30-17
STREAK: Won one
PAST 10 GAMES: 6-4
NEXT: Friday — Rangers (Justin Grimm, 3-3, 4.02) at Mariners (Joe Saunders, 3-4, 5.64)
PLAYER NOTES:
–RHP Ross Wolf picked up the win in his first career start on Wednesday against the Athletics. Wolf pitched a perfect opening three innings on the way to throwing five. He gave up one earned run and striking out three.
–RHP Justin Grimm is scheduled to make his third start of the season against the Mariners on Friday in Seattle. The rookie is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA against the Mariners. Grimm is 3-3 in seven starts this year. Grimm had a career-high nine strikeouts in six innings in his last outing against the M’s on April 21 at home.
–RHP Nick Tepesch was scratched from his scheduled start against the Athletics on Wednesday due to a blister on his right middle finger. He is listed as day-to-day.
–RHP Cory Burns was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday. Burns made three appearances for the Rangers since being called up on May 16. In the three appearances, Burns allowed two earned runs in 3 2/3 innings.
–1B Mitch Moreland was held out of Wednesday afternoon’s game against the Athletics. Manager Ron Washington said he wanted to give the first baseman two consecutive days off.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It ranks up there from when my kids were born. With what I’ve been through in the last year and a half, if you would have told me that I was going to start and contribute to this team I would have told you that you were a liar.” — RHP Ross Wolf, who got his first major-league win in his first career start at age 30 on Wednesday.
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MLB Team Report – Texas Rangers – ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
–C A.J. Pierzynski (strained right oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 6. He began a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on May 19. He was activated May 21.
–RHP Nick Tepesch (blister) was scratched from his scheduled start May 22, but is not expected to land on the disabled list.
–RHP Alexi Ogando (right biceps tendinitis) went on the 15-day disabled list May 16. He underwent an MRI on May 16 that revealed no structural issues. He played catch at 40 percent as of May 21.
–RHP Colby Lewis (right flexor tendon surgery in July 2012) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22. He began throwing live batting practice April 8, and he pitched in extended spring training May 4. He began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on May 9, but his rehab was then shut down due to triceps soreness. Lewis pitched 2 1/3 innings for Double-A Frisco on rehab assignment May 20 and will continue to pitch in the minors building up arm strength.
–2B Ian Kinsler (strained right intercostal muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 18. The Rangers are hopeful he will be back after the minimum stay on the DL.
–LHP Matt Harrison (lower-back soreness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 7. He had surgery April 23 to repair a herniated disk. He underwent a second operation May 1.
–RHP Joakim Soria (Tommy John surgery in April 2012) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22. He began throwing live batting practice April 8. Soria suffered a setback in his recovery when he strained a muscle in his chest throwing live batting practice on April 19 at the club’s spring training facility in Surprise, Ariz. The Rangers hoped to have him back by early June, but instead won’t get him back until July.
–RHP Neftali Feliz (Tommy John surgery in August 2012) went on the 60-day disabled list March 24. He is not expected to return until after the All-Star break.
ROTATION:
RHP Yu Darvish
LHP Derek Holland
RHP Nick Tepesch
RHP Justin Grimm
RHP Ross Wolf
BULLPEN:
RHP Joe Nathan (closer)
RHP Jason Frasor
LHP Michael Kirkman
LHP Robbie Ross
LHP Joe Ortiz
RHP Tanner Scheppers
LHP Neal Cotts
CATCHERS:
A.J. Pierzynski
Geovany Soto
INFIELDERS:
1B Mitch Moreland
2B Leury Garcia
SS Elvis Andrus
3B Adrian Beltre
INF Jeff Baker
INF Jurickson Profar
OUTFIELDERS:
LF David Murphy
CF Leonys Martin
RF Nelson Cruz
DH Lance Berkman
OF Craig Gentry
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