Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker delivers as Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz takes off for second base during the first inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
ARLINGTON — It was equal parts what the Rangers hoped to see less of last season and what they’d hoped to see more of last season.
The offense looked legitimately flat for the first time in eight games in a 2-0 loss vs. the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field Saturday night. The Rangers took too many called third strikes, failed to move a runner past second base until it was down to the last strike and had a number of well-struck balls either tracked down by speedy outfielders or hit just short of the fence in an arena that favors those on the mound.
Article continues below this ad
It cued up the kind of sound bite that grew all-too repetitive a year ago.
“We just couldn’t get anything together after a couple of hits or a walk or whatever,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “We just couldn’t string anything together.”
It generated another that should soothe the organization’s ears.
Make Dallas News a preferred source so your search results prioritize writing by actual people, not AI.
Add Preferred Source
“I thought he pitched today,” Schumaker said. “It wasn’t just trying to throw it by you, grip it and rip it type deal, like, he was pitching today.”
Article continues below this ad
Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker, in his season debut after a somewhat wonky week-plus on the shelf, allowed two runs in five innings vs. the Reds and finished with four consecutive scoreless frames. He maintained his poise after a first inning in which the Reds capitalized on poor defense and scored two runs. He held base runners and was quick enough to home plate. He utilized his entire arsenal — even the pitch that remained a work-in-progress just weeks before — and positioned the Rangers for a win.
It aligned with what the Rangers needed to see out of the former third overall draft selection after a rocky rookie season and a follow-up spring camp that carried a significant focus on development while he competed for the fifth starter role.
Rocker, who had a 5.74 ERA last year, was optioned to the minor leagues midseason with a number of directives that included a more diverse pitch mix and enhanced focus on the mound. The Rangers believed he made enough progress in a six-week camp to earn a second-consecutive opening day roster spot.
He validated that belief in his debut. Rocker hadn’t pitched since he threw in an Arizona minor league exhibition after camp broke two weeks ago. He was available to work out of the bullpen on the club’s six-game road trip that opened the regular season. His first inning Saturday night — in which the Reds scored twice on three singles and a play that was ruled a wild pitch — was an inauspicious open to a benevolent finish.
Article continues below this ad
He struck out Reds second baseman Matt McLain with his slider to strand a runner at first base in the second inning. He left runners on the corners in the third. He retired the side in order in the fourth. In the fifth, after McLain hit a leadoff single and reached third base with no outs on a throwing error from catcher Danny Jansen, he silenced the heart of Cincinnati’s lineup for a scoreless frame.
Rocker used his changeup to get shortstop Elly De La Cruz to ground out to shortstop Corey Seager with the infield pulled in. He ran a high four-seam fastball past first baseman Sal Stewart for the second out and got third baseman Eugenio Suarez to swing at a slider in the dirt for the third. He walked off the mound after his 80th and final pitch with a celebratory yell.
“He really settled in,” Schumaker said. “That fifth inning was, I think, a real growing moment for him.”
So was his pitch usage. Rocker, whose fastball-slider combination is dynamic when on, was urged to throw his changeup more in the spring. Rocker threw it just eight total times in Cactus League play. He threw it nine times vs. the Reds, elicited two first-pitch strikes with it and generated three swings and misses and was pushed to throw it more often by Jansen who, per Schumaker, “gave him confidence that it was working.”
Article continues below this ad
“As times kind of passed,” Rocker said, “I feel like I’ve gotten a little more feel with it.”
Schumaker acknowledged that the staff “probably would have liked to have seen it thrown more” in the spring. He also recognized that Rocker had an inclination to stick with what he knows best in order to make the roster.
Saturday, at least, he threw like a player that can remain on one.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy.
“He went to the changeup more often,” Schumaker said. “He just became a pitcher.”
Article continues below this ad
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager takes the field for the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager bobbles a grounder by Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl before recovering to throw him out at first base during the first inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger has a new glove tossed to him by infielder Ezequiel Duran during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz celebrates after driving in a run with a single during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson flies out with two runners on to end the bottom the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson reacts after a fly out with two runners on to end the bottom the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) makes play in foul territory on a pop up by Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart is safe at third ahead of the tag from Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung advancing on a single by Reds designated hitter Nathaniel Lowe during the third inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain is safe at second base advancing on a wild pitch as the throw gets away from Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington. McLain advance to third on the throwing error by Rangers catcher Danny Jansen.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker reacts after striking out Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez for the final out of the fifth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter makes a catch at the wall on a line drive off the bat of Dane Myers of the Cincinnati Reds during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Cincinnati Reds left fielder TJ Friedl makes a diving catch in foul territory on a ball off the bat of Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager looks on from the dugout during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger backs away from an inside pitch as draws a walk during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson reacts after grounding into a double play during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers second baseman Josh Smith reacts after a replay confirmed he drew a base on balls during the ninth inning of a baseball game Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Cincinnati Reds outfielders, from left, TJ Friedl, Dane Myers and Spencer Steer celebrate after the final out of a 2-0 victory over the Texas Rangers in a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.