At least one of the four pitchers that will make up the two pitching tandems for the Rangers has been claimed.
Manager Chris Woodward indicated right-hander Jordan Lyles will be one of the four starters, possibly as a starter, but with early-season pitch limits, after Lyles’ four-inning stint in a 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday.
In four innings on Tuesday, Lyles gave up three hits and a run. He’s only given up two runs in seven innings of A game action this spring, with seven strikeouts and one walk.
His fastball has reached 95 mph, and his curveball is tighter than it was when he went 1-6 with a 7.02 ERA in 2020.
Because Lyles was moved to one of the tandem places, one of the Rangers’ two young starting prospects, Kyle Cody or Dane Dunning, will likely start the season in the bullpen or on the alternate site.
If at all possible, Woodward wants the tandems to train with a right-hander and left-hander put together for a game. Cody will pitch in relief against Cincinnati on Wednesday.
Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas, the home of the Rangers’ Triple-A club, will host the team’s month-long alternate site camp, the team announced on Tuesday.
How Tall is Jordan Lyles?
Jordan Lyles stands at a height of 1.93 m