SURPRISE, Ariz. -- On Thursday morning, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy observed that a good outing could do wonders for Kumar Rocker's psyche.
The Rangers’ No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has had a rough spring so far, allowing 11 runs in 4 1/3 innings entering Thursday’s matchup with the Rockies.
“I think all the starts are important now,” Bochy said pregame. “I think it would be important for him to have a good outing, for his psyche. We have not decided which way we're going to go here with the two starting spots that have opened up. He's certainly right there. I think in that regard, yeah, this would be big for him to give us some quality innings, and have a good outing. As we get close to starting this season, this is the time when you want to see guys getting locked in and getting where they need to be.”
Against the Rockies, Rocker allowed two runs -- off a two-run homer by Sam Hilliard -- and a pair of walks, but he struck out eight in 4 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old threw 76 pitches, 47 for strikes, as he continued to refine his mechanics.
It definitely wasn’t perfect, but it was the second much-improved outing in a row for Rocker.
“That was a better step in the right direction,” Rocker said postgame. “It's definitely early, but at the same time, you want to see a little bit of success, and just to get a little taste goes a long way, especially this early in the year. Finding my rhythm out there, the guy's playing defense behind me, and just getting constant feedback in the dugout has helped.”
In the last week, the Rangers lost Cody Bradford (left elbow soreness) and Jon Gray (right wrist fracture) to injuries. Bradford will be down until at least late May. Gray until at least mid-June. Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle missed most of 2023-24 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Rocker and former college teammate Jack Leiter are poised to make big contributions this season.
In 2024, Rocker returned from a Tommy John surgery of his own to post a 1.74 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings between Double-A (five starts), Triple-A (two) and the Majors (three). He dominated in the Minors before making his big league debut on Sept. 12.
Bochy hasn’t committed to anybody in the rotation before deGrom, Opening Day starter Nathan Eovaldi and Tyler Mahle. The recently signed Patrick Corbin figures to join the club sometime after the Rangers return to Arlington.
Leiter and Rocker are still in competition with non-roster invitees Patrick Murphy and Adrian Houser for those spots in the rotation.
“That's not for me to decide, but I'm glad it went the right direction today,” Rocker said.