Major League Baseball

Texas Rangers: Tyson Ross gets off on the right foot

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:55 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Tim Haberin/FanSided via Call to the Pen

Tyson Ross hadn't pitched in a major league game in over a year, but he acquitted himself well last night in his first start for the Texas Rangers.

The Texas Rangers surely expected some rust when Tyson Ross took the mound last night for the first time since April 4, 2016. That was the only start he made last year, as he missed virtually the entire season due to injury. He spent the first couple months of this campaign recovering from offseason surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.

If there was rust, it was only slightly noticeable. Ross turned in 5.2 innings of solid work against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The right-hander allowed two runs on two hits while striking out five. If there was one area of his performance that could have used a little improvement, it was his three walks.

The Mariners aren't exactly slouches on offense this year, as their 327 runs scored are currently good for 10th-most in Major League Baseball. Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and surprising rookie Ben Gamel are all having great years, and Ross kept them largely in check, surrendering just a single to Cruz. So you can't say he feasted on a hapless lineup.

However, it was a bit of a grind at times for Ross to get through the outing. He was removed with two outs in the sixth as his pitch count climbed to 95. Given the three walks, that's not too unexpected. Nevertheless, the fact that he tossed that many pitches in his first MLB start in over a year and by all accounts felt good physically has to be taken as an encouraging sign. And he got the win in a 10-4 victory, his first since 2015.

Ross' promising debut is also good news for Texas considering how much he struggled during his recent minor league rehab assignment. In four starts for Triple-A Round Rock, Ross posted a 7.71 ERA and 1.82 WHIP over 18.2 innings. He collected 11 strikeouts and issued 11 walks. If his poor showing down there helped him work out the kinks, the Rangers will certainly take it.

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Ross spent his first seven big league seasons with the A's and Padres, but it wasn't until 2014 that he really came into his own as a full-time starting pitcher. He was named an All-Star that year, putting up a 2.81 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 31 outings. In 2015 he enjoyed another strong campaign, managing a 3.26 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 33 starts. Unfortunately, his injury-riddled 2016 derailed him just in time for free agency.

The Rangers took a chance on Ross with a one-year deal, one they hope will pay off. At 30 years old, he's by no means long in the tooth. Texas starters own a 4.07 ERA so far this season, which puts them ninth in the majors. That's not bad, but with a 33-33 record and only one game behind in a crowded AL Wild Card race, they'll take any boost they can get.

Yu Darvish has been carrying the load, with co-ace Cole Hamels expected back in early July. That's as good a one-two punch in baseball, but Ross could be the kind of decent middle or back-end starter that makes a difference for clubs with playoff aspirations.

Of course, he'll need to prove he's truly healthy, and that goes beyond just his first start back on the mound. He'll likely go through some rough patches as he settles in, but for now the Rangers will chalk this up as a good first step.

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