Benjamin will be recalled to start Friday's game against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

The Rangers said earlier in the week that Benjamin would likely make his second major-league start Friday, and he's now officially been named the starter for the game. Benjamin made three relief appearances for the major-league club earlier in the season and allowed three runs on four hits and six walks while striking out five in 5.2 innings.

Benjamin is the likely starter for Friday's game against Houston, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Benjamin tossed five scoreless frames at Triple-A on Thursday, and he appears to have impressed enough to draw the spot start in Kohei Arihara's (finger) absence. Benjamin has made three relief appearances in 2021 for Texas, surrendering three runs on four hits and six walks while fanning five over 5.2 innings.

Benjamin is one option being considered to take Kohei Arihara's (finger) spot in the rotation, Sam Blum of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arihara couldn't hide the issue with his finger any longer and faces a stint on the injured list. His absence opens up a rotation spot for Benjamin or two others -- Hyeon-Jong Yang and Kolby Allard. Benjamin, who opened the season on the MLB roster but was optioned amid wavering command, started the season-opener for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday. He picked up the win and allowed four hits and one walk while striking out eight over five scoreless innings.

Benjamin was optioned to the Rangers' alternate training site Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Benjamin was charged with a loss and a blown save in his last two appearances and will now be cast off the major-league roster to make room for Willie Calhoun (groin) and Brock Holt (hamstring), who were activated from the 10-day injured list Saturday. Benjamin made three relief appearances for the Rangers early in the season and recorded a 4.76 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in 5.2 innings.

Benjamin allowed one run on four walks and struck out one in Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning win over Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Benjamin is known as a strike thrower, so it was surprising to seem him cede four walks in a span of five batters during the seventh inning. That wiped out a one-run lead and tagged Benjamin with a blown save. The left-hander picked up a loss and a blown save in his last two appearances, in which he's walked six over 3.1 innings.

Benjamin (0-1) allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one across two innings of relief, taking the loss to the Padres on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Benjamin relieved Jordan Lyles in the fifth inning and held the lead until a Trent Grisham two-run home run in the seventh inning. Benjamin's primary role seems to be the latter part of the starting tandem with Lyles, as both of his appearances came in Lyles' starts. It appears Benjamin will serve as the main multi-inning reliever when starters can't go deep in games.

Benjamin pitched 2.1 innings of one-hit ball and struck out three in Sunday's 7-3 win over the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Benjamin worked behind Jordan Lyles, who ended up pitching deeper into the game than initially expected. At least to begin 2021, Benjamin is expected to be utilized as part of a pitching tandem, typically as the first reliever up after a starter. The southpaw had a 4.84 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB across 22.1 innings in a similar role last year.

Benjamin will pair with Dane Dunning and operate as tandem starters to begin 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. Benjamin and Dunning are slated to pitch the fifth game of the season, April 6, against Toronto. It appears Dunning will open the game, with Benjamin following him when his teammate reaches his pitch limit.

Benjamin earned a spot on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old surrendered five runs in his last spring outing Saturday, but he was one of Texas' best arms in the Cactus League heading into the contest. Benjamin has been competing for a rotation spot, and it remains unclear what exactly his role will be to begin the season. He could operate as a tandem starter, especially with Taylor Hearn and Dane Dunning in similar positions after also making the roster.

Benjamin allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over 3.1 innings in Saturday's spring game against the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Benjamin has been one of the Rangers' best pitchers this spring but hit his first bump Saturday. The left-hander believes Seattle read the scouting report on him and anticipated his penchant for consistently throwing strikes. "They know I'm gonna throw a lot of strikes. I think a lot of teams in this league are going to start to catch on and are going to start swinging early. It is what it is. I got it under my belt [and] out of the way, and I'm ready for the next one," Benjamin told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Despite the setback, Benjamin is still in the mix for a rotation spot, particularly for a piggyback tandem role that manager Chris Woodward is considering for the final two rotation spots.