Hearn allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.1 innings in Thursday's 14-10 loss to Kansas City.

EDGE Analysis

In what may have been one of the ugliest Opening Day games in MLB history, the stretched-out Hearn came on in relief of starter Kyle Gibson, who lasted one-third of an inning and left with a 135.00 ERA. Hearn is part of one of Texas' tandem rotation slots and was originally expected to pitch Sunday on what would now be two days rest.

Hearn will pair with Jordan Lyles to form a starting tandem to open the regular season, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rangers set the opening week rotation, which includes two sets of tandem starters. Lyles and Hearn will slot in as third in the rotation and pitch Sunday, April 4, against the Royals. Texas manager Chris Woodward did say Lyles is "close" to becoming a traditional starter, citing the right-hander's strong spring. If that were to happen, then Hearn would move to the bullpen in a traditional reliever role.

Hearn will be on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old has made five appearances in spring training and given up five earned runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and six walks over 10.2 innings. Hearn's exact role remains unclear as the Rangers have floated the idea of utilizing tandem starters at the back-end of the rotation, but he'll at least have a spot on the major-league roster.

Hearn hit a batter and struck out two over 2.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's spring game against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Hearn hit the first batter he faced then recorded seven consecutive outs during his second Cactus League start. "It was dominant," manager Chris Woodward told Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. "He blew the doors off some guys. I think he really found himself last year and that has only continued. He looks like he belongs." The left-hander has relied heavily on a fastball-slider combination so far, but he'll get stretched out and face a lineup a second time through in his next outing, and he'll need to make his changeup an effective third pitch.

Hearn allowed one walk and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Hearn is prepared to fill whatever role the Rangers have in mind, and the left-hander is being built up as a starter during spring training. "We're gonna kind of take it slow with him, but I think eventually, I see that he's got stuff enough to be a traditional starter," manager Chris Woodward told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. The manager added commanding the strike zone consistently will be an important determinant for Hearn. The pitcher did well in that regard Saturday, throwing 17 strikes among his 26 pitches, and showed good poise in the second inning when he settled down after throwing five straight pitches outside the zone.

Hearn will be stretched out this spring, but he does not yet have a defined role, Sam Blum of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rangers still view Hearn as a starter long term, but he was used out of the bullpen in 2020. The left-hander had a 3.63 ERA and 1.38 WHIP while striking out 23 and walking 11 over 17.1 relief innings last season and looks to be used in a similar fashion in 2021.

Hearn allowed one hit and one walk while striking out five over two innings in Saturday's 10-1 loss to the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Hearn, who was recalled from the alternate camp Aug. 10, has been throwing out of the bullpen since joining the roster. He was in the mix for a rotation spot in summer camp and could be a candidate in the near term. Saturday's starter, Jordan Lyles, was removed after giving up eight runs and 11 hits in four innings, pushing his ERA to 9.25. If the Rangers consider a change in the rotation, Hearn would be an option.

Hearn won't be a member of the Rangers' Opening Day roster, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old had hope of beginning the season as the Rangers' top left-handed reliever since Joely Rodriguez (lat) and Brett Martin (illness) have been unavailable, but he'll end up reporting to the team's alternate training site. Hearn has traditionally been a starter in the minors and missed most of 2019 with an elbow injury.

Hearn could emerge as a top left-handed reliever for the Rangers, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hearn is a starter but is not expected to be needed in that role this season. As such, the Rangers are looking at the southpaw for a potential bullpen role. That became more likely in light of recent events. The team's top two left-handed relievers are Joely Rodriguez and Brett Martin. Rodriguez has been sidelined with a lat muscle strain and has not thrown off a mound yet, while Martin is out indefinitely after testing positive for COVID-19. Hearn has just one game of MLB experience, but he impressed coaches during spring training and could be needed early.

Hearn could be kept on an expanded roster when the MLB season begins, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star Telegram reports. Reports indicate that rosters may expand up to 30 players.

EDGE Analysis

As MLB and the players' union iron out details for an abbreviated season, Rangers pitching coach Julio Rangel is thinking about his staff. The plan calls for starters to build up to 75-to-80 pitches during a mini-spring training. Rangel said starters may not go deep into games early, so support will be needed in the form of multi-inning relievers. "Once the season starts, we might not let them go as deep just to make sure the guys are getting back into shape, feeling good, and bouncing back well from outing to outing. Once we see that and they are able to get at least two or three outings where they get through five [innings] and 90 pitches, then we'll start letting them go a bit and go from there," said the pitching coach. In that event, the left-handed Hearn, along with righties Jonathan Hernandez and Luke Farrell, could be featured prominently.