The Texas Rangers have sorted through several starting pitchers — some on second chances after the first didn't go well. See Tuesday night's starter, Scott Baker, who tossed a nice game against his former team on just three days rest after getting rocked in his first Rangers start on Friday against the Tigers.
Now, another retread will get a shot to cement himself in a rotation that seems to be pretty solid right now with Yu Darvish, Colby Lewis, Nick Martinez and Nick Tepesch with Baker and Joe Saunders possibly fighting it out for the fifth spot, at least until Derek Holland returns.
Saunders gets his second start in a Rangers uniform on Wednesday against a weak-hitting Twins lineup and should have a chance to put up a solid stat line after his first start of the season went horribly.
Back on April 4 in Tampa, Saunders made a start on the Rangers' first trip through the rotation and ended up taking a comeback line drive off the ankle that put him on the DL, lasting just 3 2/3 innings while giving up five runs (four earned) and a homer. He struck out four and walked three.
Saunders is no ace, but he could be a serviceable fifth starter due to the fact that, when healthy, he has proven to be a quality innings-eater and could battle for another spot when Holland returns or end up as the long-relief man out of the bullpen.
