Prospect Gonzalez Likely to Start Saturday

All signs point to the Texas Rangers sending Triple-A prospect Chi Chi Gonzalez to the mound on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox, and as exciting as that might sound, it's not a good thing.

However, with Phil Klein failing and being sent back to Round Rock on Thursday, and Ross Detwiler not ready to return yet, the Rangers are left with no other options than the 22-year-old righty, who's a top-five prospect in the Rangers system and was up with the big club for much of spring training.

Gonzalez is promising, but he isn't ready for the big show yet, and that's been clear from his numbers in Round Rock. He's 3-5 on the season with a 4.15 ERA, and he's especially struggled in his last three starts with his efficiency.

The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday night that Gonzalez was scratched from his start in Round Rock with the idea he would be the Rangers' spot starter on Saturday night.

The decision is a tough one for the Rangers, who must clear a spot on the 40-man roster to add Gonzalez, and it would also start his big-league service time clock, which will affect his salary and arbitration down the road.

What should we all hope for? How about a rainout on Friday. That way, Yovani Gallardo can be pushed back a day and the Rangers can just skip the Klein/Detwiler/Chi Chi spot in the rotation and hope Detwiler can return the next time around.

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