Rodriguez Has Worst Start as Ranger

We've heard for months now that reinforcements would be coming to the Rangers' pitching staff in July.

Well, July is coming, and sure enough a questionably effective Matt Harrison and a seemingly ready Martin Perez are set to return at any time, and Derek Holland looks to be back by Aug. 1. So what's that mean for the current rotation?

The first two names who look to be out are rookie Chi Chi Gonzalez and veteran Wandy Rodriguez, who'd been a revelation this year but finally came back down to Earth on Wednesday in a clunker against the A's, who led the Rangers 8-0 after two innings.

Rodriguez was awful, leaving everything up and seeing everything driven deep. Even outs were to the warning track, and a couple of other shots were in the stands — a grand slam and a two-run homer.

There was some discussion during and after the game that Rodriguez could be dealing with a back issue, as he was seen wincing a couple of times and holding his lower back, but after the game the veteran said it had no bearing on his bad performance.

His final line read 4 IP, 11 hits, 8 earned runs, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts, and it could lead to a DL stint or a trip out of the rotation. He would have to be DFA'ed if the Rangers parted ways with him, and that seems extreme at this point given how incredibly solid he had been before Wednesday. But that game could've been the beginning of a steep decline for a veteran who was left on the curb by the Pirates in the spring. The chances seem pretty high the Rangers were on borrowed time with him. Let's hope that wasn't the case.

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