Lindblom Prepping For First Start

Josh Lindblom is no rookie. In fact, the Texas Rangers pitcher has thrown over 100 innings of relief in Major League Baseball, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies, who the Rangers traded for him for veteran Michael Young.

The 25-year-old has a career ERA of 3.31 in 102 appearances, falling just short of 101 innings but will be making his first big-league start on Monday as he'll take the injured Alexi Ogando's place in the rotation to face the Oakland A's in the opener of a three-game series.

After thinking he'd never be a starting pitcher again, Lindblom was assigned to Triple-A Round Rock after a rough spring training and has gone 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA.

"I really honestly never thought I'd have a chance to be a starter in the big leagues," Lindblom told ESPN Dallas. "But I came to an organization that really wants to get the most out of every player they have."

Lindblom will have his chance on Monday, against the closest compeition the Rangers have in the AL West with a chance to push the Rangers' lead over seven games in the division. Who knows what the future holds for him, but a strong showing in his likely two starts could earn him a bullpen role with the team once reinforcements arrive, most notably Colby Lewis, who is resuming his rehab assignment on Monday in Frisco after a minor setback.

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