Rangers Facing Unexpected Pitching Decision After Injury News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joe Krasnowski | Last updated May 26, 2025 12:59 AM ET

The Texas Rangers are treading water in a competitive American League West. The team is 26-28, good for third place in the division, but is still four games out of first place behind the division-leading Seattle Mariners. The club needs better performance out of its stars, however it also needs to get healthy.

With that being said, the Rangers are looking to utilize any advantage they can get, and could soon be getting back 25-year-old right-handed pitcher Kumar Rocker. The former Vanderbilt star has dealt with injury issues throughout his time as a professional, including a right shoulder impingement he is currently working back from.

Making an injury rehab start on Friday, Rocker came out of it feeling good (via MLB.com). As he nears his return, it was reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today that Rocker is being considered for the Rangers' closing role.

"The Texas Rangers are seriously considering trying Kumar Rocker as their closer when he returns off the IL," he wrote. "He has been out since April 24 with a shoulder impingement, but the Rangers believe that his fastball-slider combo could be lethal in the pen."

Sunday Notebook: MLB's best comeback stories: Jacob deGrom looks superhuman again https://t.co/nMDuWn0lCR
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) May 25, 2025

Rocker was a highly-touted pitching prospect coming out of college at Vanderbilt, and was originally drafted by the New York Mets with the 10th overall pick. However, he never signed with the club due to injury concerns. Then, the following year Texas made him the third overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft.

The Rangers also notably roster Rocker’s college teammate, Jack Leiter. Rocker tossed three scoreless innings on 34 pitches in his first rehab outing since the injury. He has a 6.54 ERA over eight career MLB games. His next time on the mound, however, might be out of the bullpen.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: