Rough Cactus League debut Otto allowed four runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out none over 1.2 innings in Wednesday's spring training game against the White Sox. Impact This was Otto's first Cactus League start, the first chance to stake a claim on the fifth starter's job, but the right-hander said he let the emotions get the best of him in the midst of a competition. He told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that his performance was "unacceptable." The Rangers took Otto off the hook by scoring 14 runs, the second time Texas' offense amassed double-digit runs in a spring game. He allowed all the damage in the first inning before settling down in the second, which pleased manager Chris Woodward. "He was amped up and excited, and he wants to show off what he can do," Woodward said of Otto's first inning. "I did like to see the second one though. There was a lot more calm to him, and the delivery was cleaner like I know he's able to while establishing his pitches." Woodward added that Otto, and possibly Spencer Howard and A.J. Alexy, might benefit from more time at Triple-A.
MARCH 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE