15DKumar Rocker SP TEX Thu 5/1/25 12:47 PM
15DKumar Rocker
SP TEX
Rocker (shoulder) said Thursday that he will likely throw a bullpen session next week, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
EDGE Analysis
Rocker -- who was placed on the 15-day injured list last week with a right shoulder impingement -- has been throwing on flat ground and should take the next step of his progression soon. The rookie right-hander is eligible for activation late next week, but it does not sound like he will be ready to return at that time.
15DKumar Rocker SP TEX Thu 4/24/25 7:57 PM
15DKumar Rocker
SP TEX
Rocker was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement Thursday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
EDGE Analysis
Rocker was crushed in a short outing Wednesday for five earned runs across only 1.2 innings. It's unclear if he was dealing with the issue at that point, but he'll now be sidelined for at least 15 days and likely longer.
15DKumar Rocker SP TEX Thu 4/24/25 1:04 AM
15DKumar Rocker
SP TEX
Rocker (1-3) took the loss against the Athletics on Wednesday after allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk in 1.2 innings. He struck out two.
EDGE Analysis
Fresh off establishing a career-high mark in strikeouts during his last start, Rocker was ambushed Wednesday in the shortest appearance of his career in terms of innings pitched. Although he threw 42 of his 63 pitches for strikes and managed to induce six whiffs in such an abbreviated outing, the hard-throwing right-hander struggled mightily with his command while giving up three extra-base hits. Rocker will get another chance to face these same Athletics in his next scheduled start, this time in a more favorable setting at home and away from hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park, but he's shaping up as a risky fantasy option while holding an 8.10 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB over 20 innings (five starts) so far.
15DKumar Rocker SP TEX Thu 4/17/25 10:27 PM
15DKumar Rocker
SP TEX
Rocker (1-2) earned the win after allowing three runs on five hits and no walks in seven innings Thursday against the Angels. He struck out eight.
EDGE Analysis
The seven frames and eight punchouts both set new career highs for the hard-throwing right-hander, who was outstanding Thursday. Jorge Soler plated a run in the opening frame, and Luis Rengifo drove in a pair in the fifth inning, but Rocker threw five spotless innings otherwise. Rocker will look to further improve on his 6.38 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB through four starts (18.1 innings) in his next start, which is set to come against a hard-hitting Athletics lineup in Sacramento next week.
15DKumar Rocker SP TEX Sun 4/6/25 11:24 PM
15DKumar Rocker
SP TEX
Rocker allowed one run on six hits while striking out one over five innings Sunday against the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.
EDGE Analysis
Rocker looked much better Sunday compared to his last start. The Rays scattered six singles off him, which eventually led to a run in the fourth, but Rocker showed great improvement with his command. He finished at 77 pitches and kept the Rangers in a game they went on to win in walk-off style in the ninth. Rocker will look to take the momentum of this positive start with him on the road against the Mariners next weekend.
15DKumar Rocker SP TEX Mon 3/31/25 11:22 PM
15DKumar Rocker
SP TEX
Rocker (0-1) allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks over three innings Monday, striking out three and taking a loss against Cincinnati.
EDGE Analysis
The Reds jumped on Rocker right out of the gate with a three-run first inning, spearheaded by Matt McLain's two-run homer. Things got worse in the second with Elly De La Cruz's three-run jack. Rocker gave up just one long ball through 11.2 frames at the MLB level last year. He touched 97 mph with the fastball and forced 10 swinging strikes on 74 total pitches (45 strikes). His next start is lined up to be at home against the Rays this weekend.
15DKumar Rocker SP TEX Tue 3/25/25 12:54 PM
15DKumar Rocker
SP TEX
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said Tuesday that Rocker will be in the team's Opening Day rotation, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
EDGE Analysis
Injuries to Jon Gray (wrist) and Cody Bradford (elbow) seemed to make this a foregone conclusion, and now it's official. Rocker mostly struggled this spring, but he ended on a high note with eight strikeouts over 4.2 innings in his final Cactus League outing. The 25-year-old's workload in 2025 will be curtailed to some degree after he threw only 48.1 innings in 2024 following a return from Tommy John surgery.
15DKumar Rocker SP TEX Fri 3/21/25 9:08 AM
15DKumar Rocker
SP TEX
Rocker allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eight over 4.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Rockies.
EDGE Analysis
Although not a perfect outing, Thursday's effort was Rocker's best in four Cactus League appearances. He had allowed 11 runs over his first 4.1 innings this spring, but this latest effort represents a second straight encouraging outing. The 25-year-old right-hander threw 76 pitches (47 strikes), as he continued to refine the mechanical issues that were on display in his first two starts. Rocker is poised to slot into the Rangers' rotation after the club lost Cody Bradford (elbow) and Jon Gray (wrist) to injuries last week.
15DKumar Rocker SP TEX Sat 3/15/25 11:17 AM
15DKumar Rocker
SP TEX
Rocker allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.1 innings in Friday's spring start against the Padres.
EDGE Analysis
Against San Diego's potential Opening Day lineup, Rocker showed slight improvement from his first two Cactus League starts, when he allowed eight runs over two innings. His 22.85 spring ERA suggests a rotation spot is a long shot, but events elsewhere Friday improved Rocker's chances. Jon Gray suffered a fractured wrist during a split-squad game against the Rockies which contributed to the unsettled nature of Texas' rotation. Gray will join Cody Bradford (elbow) on the injured list to open the season, potentially opening up spots for both Rocker and Jack Leiter.
15DKumar Rocker SP TEX Thu 3/13/25 3:55 PM
15DKumar Rocker
SP TEX
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.
EDGE Analysis
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.