Minor will start Opening Day against the Cubs on March 28, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Chris Woodward made official what was assumed. "I feel like he has earned this," Woodward said. "The way he pitched last year, the way he came into camp, his attitude. He wants to be the No. 1 guy, and I feel it's important that he is. He has set the tone in Spring Training, with his attitude, with his work ethic, his desire to make this team a champion." Minor was Texas' fourth starter last year, but he earned this promotion after being the team's most consistent starter in 2018. The left-hander was 12-8 with a 4.18 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 28 starts.

Minor allowed four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two over three-plus innings Thursday against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Minor allowed one run over the first three innings before running into fourth-inning trouble and left when he hit his pitch count. In a sign that he's feeling stronger this season, the left-hander threw more than a dozen curveballs, about 20 percent of his 67 pitches, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. The hook represented just 10 percent of his offerings last season. "I want to spread things out a little more this year," Minor said. "I feel like I'm ahead of where I was at this point last year. My breaking ball has gotten a little better each time out. It was non-existent last year [in spring training]." If Minor can make the curveball work for him as a swing-and-miss pitch, he could improve on the 7.6 K/9 he had as a starter in 2018.

Minor pitched three scoreless innings, giving up one hit while striking out two Saturday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

So far, so good for Minor who has given up two hits and one run over five spring innings. The Rangers plan to give the left-hander more leeway this season after closely managing his usage in 2018, his first season as a full-time starter since 2014.

Minor will be allowed to throw more pitches and get deeper into games this season, Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Minor joined the Rangers' starting rotation last season, although he hadn't started a game since 2014 due to shoulder issues. As such, the Rangers managed his usage in an effort to have him available for the long haul. Over 28 starts, he was allowed to throw more than 100 pitches just three times and made 10 starts on six days rest. Manager Chris Woodward plans to change the left-hander's usage in 2019. "Let him be an ace," Woodward said. "He wants that. He's determined. He's got a little chip on his shoulder." Minor finished 12-8 last season with a 4.18 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 157 innings.

Minor is expected to be the Rangers' Opening Day starter, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Chris Woodward didn't fully commit to an Opening Day plan but indicated that he would prefer Minor to start. Plans could change if the lefty is traded, as was rumored earlier in the winter, but expect him to get the nod if still on the team. The Rangers' rotation is older than one might expect for a rebuilding team but contains no one that resembles a true ace. Minor's 4.18 ERA last season makes him a more reliable candidate than any of Lance Lynn, Drew Smyly, Shelby Miller or Edinson Volquez.

The Phillies are interested in a trade for Minor, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Minor is expected to be the Rangers' opening-day starter, but as a team in rebuild mode, Texas may consider moving the 31-year-old left-hander. Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler has expressed interest in adding a southpaw to a rotation that's been predominately right-handed over the past two seasons. After attempts to add Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ during the offseason didn't materialize, the Phillies are turning to more affordable options. Minor is under contract through 2020 and due to make $9.83 million in each of those years.

Minor won't make his final start of the season this week, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rangers will shut down Minor as he reached 157 innings after serving as a reliever with the Royals in 2017. The 30-year-old finishes the season with a 12-8 record, 4.18 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 132:38 K:BB in 28 starts.

Minor (12-7) allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out three over six innings to pick up the win over the Angels on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Minor won for the sixth time in the last seven starts and has become the Rangers' ace. He leads the team in innings pitched, an improbable feat for a pitcher that hadn't been a starter since 2014. The left-hander carries a 2.70 ERA over his last eight starts into Sunday's start at San Diego.

Minor (11-7) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk across five innings to pick up the win Tuesday against the Angels. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Minor allowed just one run through the first five innings, earning a chance to come back out for the start of the sixth. He was removed after a leadoff home run from Shohei Ohtani, but the bullpen preserved the lead to give him his 11th win. Minor had delivered quality starts in each of his previous two outings and has now compiled a 2.12 ERA across 17 total innings over his last three. He will look to continue his solid recent form next week against this same Angels club.

Minor (10-7) was tagged with the loss Wednesday when he allowed two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Minor has been quite effective in six second-half starts, posting a 2.78 ERA and 0.79 WHIP while holding opponents to a .171 batting average. There's very little to like about the Rangers' rotation, which ranks dead last in the majors with a 5.48 ERA, but Minor stands out. Prior to 2018, the left-hander hadn't started a game since 2014 and didn't pitch at all in 2015 and 2016 due to shoulder woes. He'd thrown just 77 relief innings last season and is at 135 IP entering September. As Minor's the lone current member of the rotation that's guaranteed a spot in 2019, the Rangers may consider shutting him down or minimizing the number of starts he makes in September.