Thursday Newsletter time: Expanded roster in April gives some in Texas Rangers camp an opening
The Rangers will carry at least at a 14th pitcher on the 28-man roster and could find room for a veteran infielder.
The news the Texas Rangers had been expecting all spring, such that it is, has been delivered — the 26-man roster will be a 28-man roster to open the season.
MLB and the MLB Players Association reached that decision Tuesday, according to the New York Post, in an effort to protect against early-season injuries after a shortened spring.
The extra two players can be pitchers, postponing the mandated 13-pitcher limit.
The Rangers have options.
“I’ll guarantee you that we’re going to have at least 14,” manager Chris Woodward said.
The extra roster spots open the door to the Opening Day roster for some of the starting pitchers who might not make the rotation. It’s a big group that includes right-Glenn Otto, A.J. Alexy, Spencer Howard and Kohei Arihara, all right-handers, and left-handers Kolby Allard and Matt Moore.
The Rangers could also keep a third catcher if any of the two who would make a 26-man roster are banged up. A spot for a 14th position player could also make room for Matt Carpenter or Charlie Culberson.
Woodward is OK with the return of the “ghost runner” for extra innings and nine-inning doubleheaders. He’s not particularly fond of the “Shohei Ohtani rule” in which a pitcher who is hitting for himself can remain in the game at designated hitter after leaving the mound.
It currently applies only to the Los Angeles Angels superstar.
But Woodward could laugh about it.
“I'm not in favor of because it's an advantage for them and for him,” Woodward said. “But I, obviously, admire what he can do. And if you can do what Otani does and stay in the game, not many people can. So I hate the rule as an opponent. I don't like it. But as a fan of the game, I like this.”
Video of the day
Right-hander Ricky Vanasco has already been optioned to minor-league camp after a brief stay in big-league spring training.
He was never going to make Rangers’ Opening Day roster. He’s never pitched above Low A and hasn’t pitched a regular-season game since 2019.
But Vanasco is one of the Rangers’ top pitching prospects and is on the 40-man roster. He made his Cactus League debut Tuesday, and earned the save with a 1-2-3 inning against Arizona.
He did it all with a fastball that was in the mid-90s rather than the usual upper-90s that he is building toward.
“That was light for him,” Woodward said. “Good stuff, it was under control, threw strikes and pounded the zone. I think as he gets more comfortable, you going to see that stuff elevate a little bit.”
The final out is the video of the day, which shows Vanasco’s delivery. If you look at the videoboard behind him, there are velocity readings for every pitch.
One thing about this video: As I was shooting it, a bug that I thought might bite the hell of out me landed on my thumb. The camera veers off the sky momentarily as I send the bug on its way.
Also, it was shot through the backstop netting, as you will see.
Anyhoo, don’t forget to subscribe to the Texas Rangers Baseball Podcast YouTube channel. Our goal is 1,000 subscribers, and we’ve got a long way to go.
ICYMI …
Well, the Newsletter is back in the Metroplex after 2 1/2 days at Rangers camp. They were busy days, with good stuff written and more of the good stuff ahead. And there will be a third trip to the Surprise Recreation Campus late next week. For now, here’s our latest content in case you missed it.
T.R.’s Memoirs: 33 spring standouts
Two possibilities for Leody Taveras
Blaine Crim, future podcast guest
Doggy video!
Poor, pup. He’ll learn. Maybe. Enjoy. See you Friday.
We are in Surprise. Does anyone know time Leiter pitches tomorrow? Tks. Young guys killed it yesterday!!!