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.

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.

Rocker pitched in an intrasquad game on the backfields Saturday and tossed three hitless innings, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rocker did issue one walk and hit a batter, but the right-hander was pleased with the progress made after allowing eight runs in his first two Cactus League innings. "That was better," Rocker said. "A lot better. That's what we needed. I was able to take a step back and work on the process and try to find the results." Texas general manager Chris Young said the 25-year-old Rocker is medically fine after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery in 2023, and that the issues early this spring were fixable mechanical things, something he did in the team's pitching lab. It's not yet clear when Rocker will throw next in a live game.

Rocker allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one over one inning in Saturday's spring start against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

This was Rocker's second Cactus League start and looked very much like his first, when the right-hander gave up four runs in an inning. The main difference in the two starts is that Rocker was pulled early in the first inning and once again an inning later Saturday. He entered camp in the mix for a rotation spot but owns a 36.00 ERA through two starts.

Rocker allowed four runs on four hits while striking out one over one inning in Tuesday's spring start against the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Rocker's quest for a spot in the Rangers' rotation got off to a rocky start in his Cactus League debut. The right-hander hit the first batter faced and allowed loud contact during his one inning, during which he threw 22 pitches (14 strikes). Rocker told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that he was leaving pitches up in the zone which contributed to three hard-hit balls. Early in camp, he appears to be outside the top five starters, but with a good spring season going forward, Rocker could force the coaching staff's hand.

Rocker doesn't project to make the Rangers rotation if the five starters ahead of him are healthy, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Cody Bradford and Tyler Mahle all healthy, Landry expects Rocker to begin the year at Triple-A as a depth option. Of course, those five starters may not all remain healthy between now and Opening Day, and Rocker has little to prove on the farm, so he should still make the majority of his 2025 appearances in the big leagues.

The Rangers optioned Rocker to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Rocker made his final start of the season Thursday against Oakland, so the Rangers will send him and Jack Leiter back out to the minors in order to bring in additional bullpen depth in the form of Marc Church and Daniel Robert. Rocker will finish the 2024 campaign with a 3.86 ERA and 1.54 WHIP alongside a 14:6 K:BB through 11.2 innings after making the first three starts of his MLB career in September.

Rocker (0-2) took the loss Thursday against the Athletics, allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks across 4.2 innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Rocker pitched into the fifth inning for the first time in three starts this season but was attributed his second straight loss. Encouragingly, the rookie didn't walk a batter Thursday after walking six in his first two outings (seven innings). At 24 years old, Rocker is one of baseball's best pitching prospects. He allowed three runs across 29.2 combined innings at Double-A and Triple-A.

Rocker (0-1) took the loss Thursday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and four walks across three innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Rocker's second start was a bit rockier than his first, needing 71 pitches to complete three frames. He struck out five but also allowed five free passes including four via bases on balls and a fifth coming by way of a hit-by-pitch. Despite his control trouble, his one earned run allowed was scored without allowing a hit and the second run allowed came off of a throwing error. The highly-touted rookie has allowed one earned run in each of his first two outings spanning seven innings and is set to make one more start to close out the season, coming in a road matchup against either the Athletics or the Angels.

Rocker is expected to make another start for the Rangers during the final week of the season, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rocker will make his second major-league start Thursday versus the Blue Jays after he struck out seven and allowed one run over four innings in his major-league debut last week against the Mariners. The Rangers are currently working with a six-man rotation and could expand to seven if they choose to give Jack Leiter another start. There's also Rocker's workload to consider in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. However, it sounds like Thursday's outing versus Seattle will not be his final one of the season. Rocker will face either the Athletics or the Angels on the road next week.