Rangers happy with 3 returning from TJ surgery

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have seen Edinson Vólquez, Drew Smyly and Shelby Miller once through the rotation this season, and the results were what they expected for three pitchers working their way back from Tommy John surgery.

The trio combined for just 10 2/3 innings over their three starts, but the Rangers' focus is on them remaining healthy. Miller averaged 93.6 mph with his fastball, which is about where he was before his 2017 surgery. Volquez was right behind him at 92.9 mph, and Smyly at 91.7.

“It was kind of what we expected,” Texas pitching coach Julio Rangel said. “We are trying to take it easy with them as they progress. First time out, just trying to get a feel. They haven’t touched a regular mound in a year or two for some of them -- they are going to get better. They wanted to pitch more than the number of pitches I had for them, but for their first outing, they came out feeling great, their arms were strong.”

Command was an issue for all three, as they combined for 11 walks to seven strikeouts. Volquez was struggling for the feel of his changeup, and Smyly didn’t have his curveball. Those are their best swing-and-miss pitches when they are at their best. Miller was erratic with his fastball, but the power was there, catcher Jeff Mathis told manager Chris Woodward during the game.

“Mathis came in the dugout after some innings and was like, ‘Man, when he gets on top of it and gets behind it, it’s coming in hot,’” Woodward said.

“We are still working on some things with his delivery, but his arm feels great,” Rangel said. “He was asking for more pitches. Yes, the command wasn’t there, that’s something we are going to see from time to time for all of them, especially in their first year. Command is the last thing to come.”

At some point all three will have to start carrying their innings workload because 3-4 innings a start is not sustainable for an extended period of time. Woodward said he is not thinking about that right now.

“I am looking at who can execute their pitches,” Woodward said. “If we start digging into, ‘You’ve got to get through six innings,’ they are already thinking about that before the game starts. You execute the pitches as hard as you can for as long as you can, we’ll figure out where that lands.

“The execution will come. They need to get their feet wet, get solidified and get their foundation. They are back in action. I expect it to get better and better. Health-wise, I couldn’t be happier.”

Andrus error overturned
Shortstop Elvis Andrus had an error reversed from Tuesday’s game against the Astros. Andrus was awarded the error in the third inning after his throw appeared to pull first baseman Ronald Guzman off the bag on a ball put in play by Yuli Gurriel. But a postgame review showed Gurriel beat the throw, so the call was switched to a hit.

That kept the Rangers' errorless streak alive. Entering Wednesday's series finale against Houston, Texas had not committed an error in five games and 45 innings.

Rangers beat
• Jayce Tingler, who serves on the Major League coaching staff, will manage Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League during the offseason. Tingler is currently Major League player development field coordinator. He last managed the Arizona Rookie League Rangers in 2010 and was the Dominican Summer League Manager of the Year in 2009.

• Reliever Shawn Kelley has two wins already, matching his total for last season with the Nationals and Athletics. His career high is five as a rookie with the Mariners in 2009.

• Mexican soccer star Ignacio “Nacho” Vazquez was a guest of the Rangers on Wednesday night. He plays for Chivas de Guadalajara, which will play Atletico Madrid on July 23 at Globe Life Park. The International Champions Cup match will be the first soccer match ever at Globe Life Park.