Palumbo could fill open spot in rotation
CINCINNATI -- Left-hander Joe Palumbo could be back in the Rangers' rotation as soon as Wednesday against the Indians.
Manager Chris Woodward said the Rangers are still weighing their options, but it is clear Palumbo is the leading candidate to replace Drew Smyly in the rotation. Palumbo was optioned back to Double-A Frisco after making his Major League debut on June 8 against the Athletics.
Any player optioned to the Minor Leagues must stay down there for a minimum of 10 days, making Wednesday the first day Palumbo can return.
Smyly’s turn in the rotation was Friday against the Reds, but Texas moved him into the bullpen and started reliever Jesse Chavez instead. Smyly ended up entering the game in the seventh and tossed three innings of one-run ball in the 7-1 win at Great American Ball Park.
Palumbo allowed four runs in four innings against the Athletics. All four runs came with two outs after second baseman Rougned Odor couldn’t get to a ground ball that he didn’t see off the bat.
If Odor makes that play, Palumbo could have given the Rangers four scoreless. The Rangers are eager to see it again.
“That’s not 100 percent the option, but absolutely,” Woodward said. “He made a significant impact in my mind after watching him. I know he gave up four, but after 3 2/3 innings, he could have been out of that fourth inning. The command of his pitches, the way he was throwing, his attitude, the way he carried himself, it was all really good.”
Smyly was taken out of the rotation after going 1-5 with an 8.40 ERA in nine starts and two relief appearances. He has been dealing with a left ankle issue, but the Rangers are not putting him on the injured list.
“It was a good conversation we had,” Woodward said. “He made it clear that physically he is fine. That meant a lot to me because I didn’t want there to be any issues. Now we can move forward.”
Gallo ready for batting practice
Joey Gallo, on the injured list with a strained left oblique muscle, has been able to swing the bat in the indoor batting cages without issue and is planning on-field batting practice on Saturday.
The tentative plan for Gallo is to return with the team to Arlington on Sunday night and then fly to Arizona on Monday so he can work out at the Rangers' complex in Surprise.
“You can do a lot more there and I want to get as much work in as I can,” Gallo said.
The Rangers will see how Gallo does in Arizona to determine if he needs to play at Triple-A Nashville or Double-A Frisco before being activated. Gallo is hoping to be ready for either next weekend’s series against the White Sox or for the following road trip to Detroit and Tampa Bay.
Rangers acquire Petricka
The Rangers have acquired right-handed pitcher Jake Petricka from the Brewers for a player to be named later -- he's been assigned to Triple-A Nashville. Petricka had been pitching for Triple-A San Antonio and is not on the 40-man roster.
Petricka had a 3.38 ERA in six relief appearances for the Brewers before being designated for assignment and outrighted to San Antonio. Petricka pitched in 16 games at San Antonio with a 1.89 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP while striking out 10.4 batters per nine innings.
Petricka has seven years of Major League experience with the White Sox, Blue Jays and Brewers. In 228 games, he has a 3.96 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP.
Rangers beat
• Shin-Soo Choo started in left field for the Rangers on Friday in his first game at Great American Ball Park since leaving the Reds as a free agent after the 2013 season.
“I have good memories,” Choo said. “I played just one year here, but it was a good team with good owners. Dusty Baker was the manager. I had a good experience here.”
• Choo was hit twice with a pitch on Thursday and has 10 on the season, tying him with Alex Gordon of the Royals for the American League lead.
• Outfielder Willie Calhoun, on the injured list with a left quad strain, was 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI for Triple-A Nashville on Thursday. It was his first game on medical rehab assignment.