When the Texas Rangers take the field today against the San Francisco Giants in a Cactus League game, they'll have an unfamiliar face on the mound as veteran right-hander Derek Lowe is set to take the hill and make his Rangers debut after being signed last week.
Lowe will oppose Giants ace Matt Cain and will be slated to work a couple of innings in his first spring work after working as both a starter and reliever in 2012 with the Indians and Yankees.
He struggled as a starter last season with Cleveland before being dealt to the Yankees to shore up their thin bullpen, and he did that, tossing 23 2/3 innings in 17 appearances with a 3.04 ERA and a 1-1 record.
In his better, younger days, Lowe was a bulldog for several staffs, most notably the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, leading the bigs in starts four times, wins once and saves once. He's done it all.
He could be a surprise candidate to fill the Rangers' fifth starter spot but that's not likely considering his late arrival to camp. The Rangers need a long reliever to fill the void left by Scott Feldman's departure and Lowe would probably be able to give the Rangers what Feldman did — some cleanup innings and an occasional spot start if needed.
