ARLINGTON — The Rangers may turn to the youths as their bullpen scramble continues.
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker acknowledged before Saturday’s game against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field that the relief staff’s younger and inexperienced arms could see more high-leverage opportunities as they navigate a bullpen identity crisis. Their late-game depth in front of All-Star closer Jacob Latz has been tested with setup man Jakob Junis sidelined because of a hip impingement, but as the seasoned options continue to yield mixed results, the right-handed rookie duo of Gavin Collyer and Ben Peoples could be tabbed for important roles.
“You’re going to see other younger guys come in and get their opportunity,” Schumaker said. “That’s just the reality of the game. Peoples and Collyer have really good stuff, so they’re going to get a shot if guys aren’t feeling good or if guys aren’t performing, that is just the game. I think that’s what you’re going to see, maybe, in the next couple of days.”
Schumaker has previously said that rookie right-hander Peyton Gray is the team’s top righty high-leverage option, but in games which he’s unavailable because of workload concerns, like Friday night’s, the pack thins considerably. Peoples, who was acquired from the Chicago White Sox earlier this month in a minor league trade, hasn’t allowed a run in two appearances and has intrigued with his fastball-slider combination. Collyer is their hardest thrower, and if he can consistently throw strikes, he can earn more trust in leverage spots.