Buzz: Questions about two pitching spots
Scott Feldman, who is scheduled to start Saturday in San Francisco, may not start because he has performed poorly of late, including a disastrous 1 2/3-inning, eight-run outing Monday.
Derek Holland, who is scheduled for Sunday, may not start if the Rangers determine that he still hasn’t regained enough strength from a stomach ailment that has caused him to lose 15 pounds in 2 1/2 weeks. Washington said Holland looked like “a ghost” after Tuesday’s outing.
Washington clearly said that neither Feldman nor Holland have been “ruled out” for those starts, but he conceded that both spots are “questionable.” At the moment, though, both pitchers are listed as starting, and both went about their business Wednesday as if they would take their turns.
Feldman threw his normal bullpen session. Holland went through his normal workout routine for the day after a start.
Both Holland and Washington agreed there was “concern” over the pitcher’s weight loss. Although Holland got the victory Tuesday, he lost velocity as he got deeper into the game and the A’s hit him hard in his final innings.
“I lost a good bit of weight,” Holland said. “Of course I am concerned.”
For now, Holland is not scheduled for any further tests. He’s been on an antibiotic, and he said he’s been feeling better.
“I just want to be able to get rid of it so I can be myself,” Holland said. “I want to be out there and have my team not be worried about how I feel.”
In the meantime, Washington said no fewer than a half-dozen pitchers have been “mentioned” as potential starters: reliever Robbie Ross, Triple-A pitchers Zach Jackson, Michael Kirkman and Neil Ramirez, and Double-A pitchers Barret Loux and Justin Grimm.
“We’re just trying to search and make sure we find the right pieces for whatever need we might have,” Washington said. “That’s all.”
Notes:
* Washington said he did not ask Josh Hamilton to skip the home run derby at the All-Star Game, but he was nonetheless relieved that his superstar made that decision.
“That’s his decision on that, not up to me,” Washington said. “It’s not up to me, but I’m happy he’s not doing it. If he takes a swing and miss and hurts something I don’t think any other team in baseball would care.”
Washington added that he “gave him a hug” after learning of his decision.
* Rangers outfielder David Murphy was thrilled to see Brandon Moss playing first for the A’s on Wednesday. Murphy and Moss came through the Red Sox system together, and Murphy said Moss is one of his closest friends in baseball.
“I’m glad he’s getting a shot,” Murphy said. “I just hope he doesn’t go off until we leave.”
* Roy Oswalt will make his second appearance for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday at Omaha. Oswalt is scheduled for three or four innings, around 50 pitches. The Rangers have him on a schedule that would have him in the majors in about two weeks.
* Every Rangers starter had a hit and a strikeout Tuesday night, the first such game for the Rangers since July 10, 2008. According to baseball-reference.com, there have been only 10 such games in the majors since 1918, and the Rangers have been responsible for three of them.
103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS
Play Podcast Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus joins Galloway & Company to discuss having Scott Boras as his agent, his new contract and having Jurickson Profar in the lineup.
Play Podcast Rangers manager Ron Washington joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett for his weekly visit to discuss Yu Darvish's pitch count and how he spends time in the clubhouse during weather delays.
Play Podcast Nolan Ryan joins Galloway & Company for his weekly visit to discuss the latest Rangers news.
Play Podcast Reid Ryan joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss his new position with the Houston Astros and whether he could see his dad, Nolan, joining him there in the future.
Play Podcast ESPN MLB Insider Jayson Stark joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss if the Rangers are the best team in baseball, what makes them so good and if he thinks the team will trade Jurickson Profar.
Play Podcast Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss Ron Washington's decision to send Yu Darvish to the mound for the eighth inning Thursday night and how he would handle a situation like that if he were still a GM.
Play Podcast Randy Galloway, Matt Mosley and Glenn "Stretch" Smith discuss the latest Rangers news, including the Yu Darvish-Justin Verlander matchup.
Play Podcast Nelson Cruz joins Galloway & Company to discuss the Rangers' series in Oakland, his ups and downs at the plate and if the PED talks before the season were a distraction.
TEAM LEADERS
| BA LEADER | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Lance Berkman
|
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| HR | N. Cruz | 11 | ||||||||||
| RBI | N. Cruz | 33 | ||||||||||
| R | E. Andrus | 28 | ||||||||||
| OPS | M. Moreland | .922 | ||||||||||
| W | Y. Darvish | 7 | ||||||||||
| ERA | Y. Darvish | 2.97 | ||||||||||
| SO | Y. Darvish | 86 | ||||||||||
- There are no games scheduled for today.






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