Rangers juggle rotation in wake of injuries

By T.R. Sullivan and Grace Raynor

May 16, 2014

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have re-adjusted their rotation and are planning to have left-hander Robbie Ross Jr. and right-hander Nick Martinez pitch against the Blue Jays on Saturday and Sunday. They'll follow Yu Darvish, who led off the three-game series on Friday night.

Colby Lewis was supposed to pitch against the Blue Jays but will wait until Tuesday and face the Mariners. Nick Tepesch is scheduled to pitch on Wednesday. Martinez, who is replacing Matt Harrison in the rotation, will be making his first start since April 22. He has been used out of the bullpen since then.

Manager Ron Washington said that is one of the reasons the Rangers adjusted their rotation. The Rangers are off on Monday and that would give the bullpen a chance to recover if Martinez has a short outing on Sunday.

The switch also means that Lewis will likely have to pitch against the Nationals later this month. Washington originally had Lewis missing that series so he wouldn't have to hit in the National League park. He'll likely end up pitching there unless weather problems dictate otherwise.

"I might tell him not to take the bat off his shoulder," Washington said. "I'll make him bunt every chance I get."

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger. Grace Raynor is an associate reporter for MLB.com.