ARLINGTON -- Throughout his career with the Astros, Brad Peacock has seamlessly jumped from the rotation to the bullpen and back to the rotation.

Peacock's return as a starting pitcher on Monday, after a year hiatus in the 'pen, was no different.

The right-hander was strong in an 86-pitch outing that spanned 6 2/3 innings and held the Rangers to one run on two hits en route to a 2-1 Astros win over the Rangers at Globe Life Park. He did not issue a walk and struck out five.

Peacock also established very early that he was up to the task of reintroducing a couple of pitches he didn't need to use a lot last season when he was pitching in relief.

“He mixed his pitches very well,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said. “It's a good test for him because of the left-handedness of the majority of their lineup tonight. That's what's going to happen for him as a starter. He responded with some really good breaking balls.”

Transitioning back to the rotation involves more than just stretching the arm out to prepare for additional wear and tear. A starter needs to go back to using a full arsenal of pitches, and after a full season of relying on the slider while facing mostly right-handers, Peacock made his 2019 debut against a Rangers lineup loaded with lefties -- six in total.

Peacock still used the slider as his out pitch in the early innings, but he mixed in several curveballs, as well, and as the outing progressed, he used his changeup, though sparingly.

“I shortened [the slider] up a little bit to lefties,” Peacock said. “I changed it up in the fifth, started throwing a big one to them. Just give them a different look. It worked out pretty well.”

The outing was Peacock’s longest since he lasted seven innings on July 18, 2017, against the Mariners. It was also his longest start of his career without allowing a walk.

“To get to the point of the game where he was -- it’s as far as he's ever extended this season so far, even in spring,” Hinch said. “For him to handle his command like that was impressive.”

The only run Peacock allowed was a home run to Ronald Guzman on a 91 mph fastball to lead off the bottom of the third inning.

Peacock’s strong spring performance earned him the final spot in the Astros’ rotation, but given his past experience and his success in prior starting roles, he had the upper-hand over his competition.

Consider this: The last time Peacock was a regular starter, in 2017, he earned co-Pitcher of the Year honors from Houston baseball writers.

A crowded rotation in 2018, not Peacock’s individual performances, necessitated the jump back to the bullpen. If he felt any anxiousness returning to the rotation, the low-key, even-keeled Peacock didn’t show it. He probably would have the same non-reaction if he was ever asked to move again.

“I feel great now, but it’s up to them,” said Peacock, referring to decisions made about his role on the pitching staff. “Like I’ve said a million times before, whatever they want me to do, I’ll do. I just [want] to get back to the playoffs.”