MARCH 13, 2025 • MLB.COM
Bradford's delay opens door for Leiter, Rocker SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The competition in Rangers camp just got a little more open. Texas had a rather deep rotation at the start of Spring Trai...
Kumar Rocker - Aiming for final slot in rotation Rocker is competing with Jack Leiter to fill the spot in the Rangers' rotation vacated by Cody Bradford (elbow), Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Impact The former college teammates and current pro teammates will go head-to-head for the right to serve as the Rangers' fifth starter while Bradford recuperates from left elbow soreness. Rocker has been blasted for eight runs over two innings in his two Cactus League starts this spring, but he threw three hitless frames in an intrasquad game last weekend. Leiter, meanwhile, has pitched much better with a 2.53 ERA and 13 strikeouts over 10.2 innings, although he was shaky his last time out. It's unclear which of the two righties might have the current edge, but with the injury history of some of the other Rangers starters, there's a decent chance both Rocker and Leiter will wind up spending a significant portion of the season in the Texas rotation.
MARCH 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Jack Leiter - Competing to fill in for Bradford Leiter is competing with Kumar Rocker to fill the spot in the Rangers' rotation vacated by Cody Bradford (elbow), Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Impact Manager Bruce Bochy announced Thursday that Bradford would begin the season on the injured list with a sore left elbow. While it seems there's hope that it won't be a long-term absence, his spot will likely need to be filled at least a couple times. Leiter could be the favorite if the team goes mostly on spring training results, as he's allowed just three runs with a 13:6 K:BB over 10.2 innings. He was wild in his last outing, however, walking five over 2.2 frames while throwing more balls than strikes. Control has often been an issue for Leiter, but his stuff has ticked up this spring and he has looked dominant at times. It's a competition that could go down to the wire.
MARCH 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Rangers left-hander Bradford to open season on injured list with sore elbow
Texas Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford will start the season on the injured list with soreness in his throwing elbowMARCH 13, 2025 • Associated Press
Tyler Mahle - Pitches in minor-league game Mahle (forearm) allowed three runs on six hits and no walks over for innings in a start versus minor leaguers Thursday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Impact Mahle threw 55 pitches in the outing and additional 10 pitches in the bullpen afterward. The right-hander was scratched from a scheduled Cactus League start earlier this wee due to right forearm soreness, but an MRI came back negative and it appears Mahle is back on track.
MARCH 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Jonathan Ornelas - Sent to minors The Rangers optioned Ornelas to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.
Impact Ornelas' defensive versatility and .881 OPS in spring training gave him a good chance to win a spot on the Rangers' bench out of spring training. However, the team would evidently like to see if his hot bat can hold up in the Triple-A regular season -- not surprising given his career .505 OPS in the big leagues.
MARCH 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
LIVE: Rangers vs. Giants | 03/13/2025 Listen LIVE as the Texas Rangers take on the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, AZ
MARCH 13, 2025 • MLB.COM
