Nick Tepesch has done all his manager has asked of him since returning from a two-month stint on the disabled list.
The rookie right-hander, who won the No. 5 starter job out of spring training when Martin Perez was injured in Cactus League play, hit the skids before going on the DL after a nice start to the season that even saw him earn AL Rookie of the Month honors in April.
In his two outings since, including Sunday's start against the Angels in a near must-win game to avoid a sweep, Tepesch has been plenty good with his sharp sinker and groundball-inducing stuff.
On Sunday, the plan was for Tepesch to throw around 60 pitches and keep his team in the game, and other than a home run, he did just that, lasting 3 1/3 innings and keeping the Rangers within striking distance in a game they eventually came back to win.
In his return from the DL last week, Tepesch went 3 1/3 innings in relief and kept the Rangers in a game that they lost to Oakland.
The Rangers won't need many more starts from their No. 5 guy, but after Tepesch got the nod on Sunday and came through instead of Travis Blackley tells you the Rangers' plans, as Blackley might be better served to come out of the bullpen as a lefty, especially with Robbie Ross' struggles.
