Evidenced by last year’s Spring Training injury to Yu Darvish and last week’s revelation that Tanner Scheppers will miss half of this season with a knee injury, the Rangers know all too well that you can never have enough pitching.
Enter, Jeremy Guthrie. That’s right, the pitcher who started Game 7 of the 2014 World Series for the Royals will now be in Surprise, Arizona fighting for a roster spot on the Rangers.
Texas signed Guthrie to a minor league contract, and he’ll compete for a spot at the bottom end of the rotation. With Darvish back added to a healthy Cole Hamels, Colby Lewis, Derek Holland and Martin Perez, Guthrie would seem like a long-shot. But, then again, the Rangers used 12 starters en route to the AL West in 2015.
The 36-year-old right-hander went 8-8 in Kansas City last season, but managed only a 5.95 ERA and didn’t make a start after Aug. 18. The Rangers don’t want to have to rely on Guthrie but, as they’ve found out many a time, better safe than sorry.
Insurance policies purchased in February often pay dividends in September.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
