Rangers turn to Gibson for Opening Day nod

Manager Chris Woodward officially announced Kyle Gibson as the Rangers Opening Day starter on Tuesday. Woodward said he had a conversation with Gibson earlier in the morning and felt comfortable announcing it.

“That was a cool moment since he's never started Opening Day,” Woodward said. “That’s three years in a row for me personally that I get to hand the ball to a guy that's never started Opening Day. So, to be able to have the honor to do that was pretty special.”

Mike Minor and Lance Lynn got the Opening Day nods for the 2019 and 2020 seasons, respectively.

Gibson is an eight-year MLB vet with a career 4.57 ERA and 1.418 WHIP. He struggled in the 2020 season, posting a 5.35 ERA over 67 1/3 innings (12 starts).

He’s only pitched one main game so far this spring but has been working on adding a cutter to his pitch selection during simulated and backfield games. Gibson, at 33 years old, is one of the more veteran pitchers on a young Rangers staff.

Gibson said he feels a lot better this spring than in March 2020, even before the coronavirus pandemic delayed the MLB season.

“This offseason was just night and day,” Gibson said. “Just feeling way healthier, feeling the ability to go and get workouts in and get bullpens in and really be able to prepare like I wanted to. Hopefully it translates to the field here in a couple weeks.”

Injury updates

General manager Chris Young provided an update on multiple injuries across the organization.

The Rangers ran more tests on pitcher Brett de Geus. De Geus exited in the ninth inning of the Rangers’ matchup with the Brewers last week due to a stomach issue with severe cramping. Young said nothing jumped out in particular, but they know he is dealing with a gastrointestinal issue. He has no restrictions but the club will continue to monitor him.

Outfielder Willie Calhoun’s groin strain has not yet progressed as far as the Rangers hoped it would and it’s doubtful he’ll be ready come Opening Day.

“That's a little bit of a blow for us, we've anticipated having Willie ready,” Young said. “But at this point, given the soreness that still exists, I think we're better off getting him right before sending him into competition.”

Calhoun’s delay opens the door for Khris Davis to win the designated hitter spot, or it could allow for the Rangers to keep both Nate Lowe and Ronald Guzman on the Opening Day roster.

In better news, Young said outfielder David Dahl “graduated” from his throwing program following his offseason shoulder surgery. Dahl is starting his second game of the spring in left field on Tuesday against the Giants.

Roster addition

On Tuesday, the Rangers also added right-handed pitcher Tyson Ross to the 75-man spring camp roster. Texas signed him to a Minor League contract in February, but he’s been working out with the Minor League rehab group since the start of camp.

Ross opted out of the COVID-19 affected 2020 season, but posted a 6.11 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings over seven starts for the Tigers in ‘19. He was shut down in May of that year due to ulnar nerve neuritis in his right elbow.

Young said Ross was affected by the shutdown last season and didn’t have much access to training over the summer, so the club wanted to take it slow with him as he built up his training again.

“He's a guy who is one, a great person, great human being, and fits our culture and fits the leadership qualities that we want to see in veteran players,” Young said. “Secondly, he's been a successful pitcher and I think that it never hurts to have those guys in camp.”