ARLINGTON -- Left-hander Mike Minor starts for the Rangers on Tuesday and it is no accident that he is the last of the five starters to pitch in the second half. The Rangers gave him extra rest over the All-Star break in their attempt to limit his innings and manage his pitch counts this season.
But the plan is still for Minor to stay in the rotation for the rest of the season. That would help constitute a successful second half as he continues the transition from reliever to starter.
"We want the shoulder to stay strong, the arm to stay strong, the body strong," manager Jeff Banister said. "The stuff continues to be quality and he competes well on the mound. Hopefully he'll continue to make the starts without any issues."

The Rangers signed Minor to a three-year contract in the offseason knowing this would be a transition season. He made 87 starts for the Braves in 2012-14 before missing two seasons because of left shoulder surgery. The Royals used him as a reliever in 2017 and he pitched just 77 2/3 innings.
So far with the Rangers, he has made 18 starts and pitched 99 1/3 innings. He is 6-6 with a 4.89 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.
"I have goals, but it's more of a lot of quality starts and finish the season strong, and I guess get my innings up," Minor said. "I don't know if there is going to be a limit … it's difficult … I feel a little blocked, but we have had those discussions. I'd just like to get below 4.00 (ERA), I don't know if that's possible or not and have a quality start every time out."
Rangers claim Rowley
The Rangers claimed right-handed pitcher Chris Rowley off waivers from the Blue Jays, giving them more starting pitching depth at Triple-A Round Rock. He was 5-6 with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP in 17 starts at Triple-A Buffalo in the Blue Jays' organization.
Rowley is 1-3 with a 7.91 ERA in three starts and five relief appearances with the Blue Jays over the past two seasons. Rowley has a sinking fastball that averages 89.1 mph, and needs his slider and changeup to be sharp if he is effective.

Rowley is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was signed by the Blue Jays as an amateur free agent in 2013. He missed all of 2014-15 while fulfilling his military obligations and is still a first lieutenant in the Army Reserves.
Gallo still day to day
Joey Gallo was out of the lineup on Monday with a slightly sprained left ankle, but was available off the bench, Banister said. Left-hander Brett Anderson started for the Athletics, but the main reason Gallo wasn't in the lineup was because of the ankle.
"We just felt give him the extra day," Banister said.

Gallo injured the ankle stepping awkwardly on first base in the sixth inning of Sunday's game against the Indians.
Hamilton to help honor Guerrero
Former Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton will be among those honoring Vladimir Guerrero at the Dr. Pepper Hall of Fame Luncheon on Friday, Aug. 3 at Globe Life Park. Hamilton, Elvis Andrus, Darren Oliver and Emily Jones will participate in the discussion about Guerrero, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 29.
Guerrero and fellow Hall of Famer Ivan Rodriguez will be interviewed by broadcaster Eric Nadel and there will a segment on the legacy of Ted Williams, the Rangers' first manager.
The Hall of Fame Luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. CT at the All You Can Eat Porch at Globe Life Park. Tickets are priced at $75 each, and the net proceeds will benefit the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and Mission Arlington/Metroplex. Tickets can be purchased at texasrangers.com/halloffame or by calling 817-273-5222.
Rangers beat:
• Right-handed reliever Chris Martin, on the disabled list with a strained left groin, threw a bullpen session on Monday and is scheduled for live batting practice on Thursday. The Rangers will decide after that if he is ready for a medical rehabilitation assignment in the Minor Leagues.
• Sunday's 5-0 victory was the Rangers' third shutout of the season. In all three games, the Rangers used four pitchers.
• Catcher Carlos Perez has been placed on the disabled list at Triple-A Round Rock.