Rangers comfortable with rotation as it stands

Rangers comfortable with rotation as it stands

Published Jan. 11, 2013 7:55 p.m. ET

ARLINGTON, Texas – The team that the Texas Rangers are trotting out for Fan Fest this weekend could look a lot like the one the Rangers send to spring training next month.

"We're ready to go," Texas general manager Jon Daniels said. "There are still some players out there that in the right scenario could fit for us. That's basically our job - put the best team out there. We feel good about where we're at right now. We feel good about our club."

That includes the starting rotation.

Four of the five spots appear to be locked up with Matt Harrison, Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Alexi Ogando taking those.

The fifth spot could just be a place holder until Colby Lewis is healthy, which could come as early as late May.

Daniels hasn't ruled out adding another starter but he's also comfortable going to camp with Martin Perez, Justin Grimm as potential candidates for the fifth spot.

Ross was a starter in the minors but was used exclusively in relief for Texas during his rookie season. He went 6-0 in 58 games with a 2.22 ERA. Daniels said that unless something changes between now and spring training, Ross would get stretched out with the rest of the starters.

Even if he's in camp as a starter, it likely won't impact his roster status because of what he showed last year in relief.

"Barring something unforeseen he'll be on the club," Daniels said. "He's got to compete and earn it again but he put himself in that picture. The role would be determined on what's best for the team and how quickly do we expect Colby to come back. Maybe less emphasis on going with him in the rotation if we think Colby's going to be back soon. He (Ross) played such a huge role for Wash and the guys last year."

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