Robbie Ross has had quite a spring so far in his battle to earn a spot in the Texas Rangers' starting rotation, at least for the time being until Colby Lewis returns returns as early as May.
On Wednesday, he was one out away from throwing three scorless innings against the Chicago White Sox and extending his scoreless inning streak to five this spring in his two outings before Paul Konerko hammered a two-run home run off Ross to left field.
Even still, it was a good outing from Ross, who allowed just three homers in 65 innings of work as a rookie last season while emerging as one of the Rangers' key relief pitchers. Now, he's battling with mainly Martin Perez for the No. 5 rotation spot, and as well as Ross has pitched you'd have to think Perez has the upper hand because of his pedigree and the fact that he's had an even better spring so far.
Ross might be better-served in the Rangers' pen anyway as a versatile arm that can throw multiple innings, if needed, or be used in a seventh- or eighth-inning role. He's basically setting up to be what Alexi Ogando was in 2012, which is possibly the most important arm in the Rangers' bullpen.
