Smyly (0-2) took the loss Friday as the Rangers fell 7-2 to the Astros, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks over 3.2 innings while striking out eight.

EDGE Analysis

The latest skirmish in the Battle of Texas didn't go the Rangers' way and Smyly took the worst of it. serving up back-to-back homers to Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman in the first inning. The southpaw has yet to last more than five innings in a start, and he'll limp into his next start Wednesday in Oakland with a 7.80 ERA and 19:10 K:BB through 15 innings.

Smyly didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 8-6 loss to the A's, getting charged with four runs on four hits and two walks over five-plus innings while striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw looked good through five frames, but Smyly put the first three runners aboard to begin the sixth and had to watch all three to come around to score after he got the hook. Even then, he was still in line for his first win of the year, but the Rangers' bullpen continued to implode into the later frames. Smyly will take a 7.15 ERA and 11:7 K:BB through 11.1 innings into his next start, at home against the Angels on Wednesday.

Smyly (0-1) allowed four runs on six hits and struck out four with three walks across 3.1 innings during a loss to the Angels on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The Angels had traffic against the lefty in all four of the frames he took the mound. He worked out of trouble in the first three innings, but then gave up a grand slam to Mike Trout in the fourth. Before last week, Smyly hadn't pitched in a regular season game since 2016, so it shouldn't be a huge surprise he's struggled to last deep into games. But through two starts, he is 0-1 with a 7.11 ERA, 2.37 WHIP and six strikeouts while pitching just 6.1 innings. His next outing should come against the Athletics.

Smyly gave up one run on four hits with two walks through three innings in a no-decision against the Astros on Monday. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly only lasted 73 pitches in his first appearance in the big leagues since 2016. A leadoff home run by George Springer contributed to his only earned run, but the southpaw was inefficient in his three innings. The good news is Smyly appears healthy, and his fastball velocity averaged 91. Smyly will try to be more effective in his next start Saturday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Smyly allowed three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings Tuesday against the Indians.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly needed 73 pitches, including a 33-pitch fourth inning, to get 11 outs in the Rangers' final spring game. He hasn't thrown more than four innings this spring and is line to pitch next Monday at home against Houston.

Smyly will be the fourth starter in the rotation, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly's thrown just 9.1 innings this spring, much of it encouraging until Thursday when he was tagged for eight hits and walk two over four innings. His slot in the rotation puts him on scheduled to start Texas' home opener, April 1, against in-state rival Houston.

Smyly allowed one run on three hits while striking out four over 2.1 innings Sunday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly, who is attempting to return from Tommy John elbow surgery, ran his pitch count up to 50 and has three more starts to get it up to 90 pitches heading into the regular season. In three spring starts, Smyly has allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out seven over 5.1 innings.

Smyly struck out three and walked one over two scoreless innings Tuesday against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly was consistently behind hitters in the first inning, reaching full counts to three of the four batters faced, but righted himself with a 1-2-3- second inning. This was the second spring outing for the right-hander, who is coming off a two-year hiatus due to Tommy John elbow surgery.

Smyly pitched a scoreless inning in Thursday's game against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

A victim of Tommy John elbow surgery, Smyly faced major-league hitters in a game environment for the first time in 23 months. He threw 12 of his 16 pitches for strikes in what was an encouraging, albeit limited, outing. The 29-year-old left-hander will be in the middle of the Rangers' rotation and represents a fantasy gamble.

The Rangers acquired Smyly (elbow) from the Cubs on Friday, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly hasn't pitched in game action since the World Baseball Classic prior to the 2017 season, having underwent Tommy John surgery that July. The Cubs free up some money -- Smyly is set to make $7 million in 2019 -- as they picked up Cole Hamels option for next season. The Rangers pitching situation is wide open but it's nearly impossible to predict Smyly's role given his extensive layoff.