Rangers' top starters won't get extra rest

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Rangers are discussing the possibility of a six-man rotation but manager Jeff Banister said that won't impact Cole Hamels, Matt Moore or Doug Fister.
They are used to pitching in a five-man rotation on four days' rest and that is not expected to change. Martín Pérez may end up being in that group once he is recovered from the broken bone in his right elbow.
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"That's what I've been saying all along," Banister said. "We're a little bit ahead of ourselves yet in slam-dunking this. If you look at Cole, and I said it from the very beginning, Cole will be on a regular rest period, Fister will be on a regular rest period, Moore on a regular rest period."
Hamels made it clear after his last start Saturday that he is not thrilled with the idea of pitching in a six-man rotation on five days' rest. He shouldn't be worried.
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The Rangers are far from deciding on a pitching staff. They haven't determined if Matt Bush and Mike Minor are ready to transition from bullpen to rotation, and they've only just begun evaluating Bartolo Colon, Jonathon Niese and Jesse Chavez.
Sanchez has pitched twice, Colon once and Niese has yet to appear in a Cactus League game. The Rangers' most impressive pitcher has been Clayton Blackburn, who has pitched five scoreless innings.
"We've got a ways to go," Banister said. "It's pretty fluid right now."
Moore faces Giants
Moore's second start for the Rangers was against the Giants, the team he pitched for in 2016-17. Moore admitted he was looking forward to the outing.
"Absolutely," Moore said. "Not like I have anything out for them, right? it's just those are guys I sat in the dugout with for the last year and a half and I got to know them pretty well, so it was fun just to compete against them and see [manager Bruce Bochy] over there. They wound up bringing some of their guys, so it was a fun day for me, overall."

Moore, who allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings of the Rangers' 5-4 victory, was acquired Dec. 15 for Minor League pitchers Sam Wolff and Israel Cruz.
"I was surprised," Moore said. "I hadn't heard my name out there and then I got a call that day, this might happen or it might not happen. ... It ended up happening. They had a lot of moving pieces, so for them, it made the most sense dealing from strength. When I found it was Texas, it put a smile on my face."
Lincecum, Martinez on deck
Tuesday could be a notable day for the Rangers. They are expected to announce the signing of pitcher Tim Lincecum and could also sign Cuban free-agent outfielder Julio Pablo Martinez.
The Rangers reached an agreement with Lincecum last week pending a physical. That has been completed but Lincecum had to return to Seattle this weekend to attend the funeral of his older brother Sean.
Martinez, 21, is a highly regarded left-handed-hitting center fielder with speed and power. He has been cleared by Major League Baseball and Tuesday is the first day he can sign with a club. MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reported earlier this spring the Rangers were expected to sign him, and they have been accumulating international bonus slot money in trades with other teams to reinforce their position.
Rangers beat
• The Rangers have a morning "B" game Tuesday against the Reds in Surprise. Rookies Connor Sadzeck, Ariel Jurado, Jeffrey Springs and Brett Martin are scheduled to pitch for the Rangers.
• Perez is down for a live batting-practice session Wednesday and could pitch in a "B" game next Monday. He has yet to pitch in a game while continuing his recovery from his elbow injury.
• Infielder Trevor Plouffe was used at designated hitter Monday, his first time in a Cactus League game. He had been sidelined with a tight left intercostal muscle.
• The Astros have announced their first two pitchers of the season. Justin Verlander will pitch against the Rangers on Opening Day on March 29 and Dallas Keuchel will pitch the second game.