Derek Holland bounces back
After a rough outing against the New York Yankees his last time out, Derek Holland needed to put together a solid start against the Houston Astros on Monday night. If for no other reason than to get his confidence back.
Holland did just that, giving up just three runs through 7.1 innings, and got a very nice ovation from the 41,000 fans at Rangers Ballpark.
His next start should come this weekend at home against the New York Mets.
Darren O’Day on the mend
Sidewinder Darren O’Day made his first rehab appearance on Monday night, allowing a solo home run in his one inning for double-A Frisco.
He’s scheduled to pitch at triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, where the Rangers should make a determination on whether he’s ready to return to the team or if he needs a little more time.
O’Day went on the 60-day disabled list on April 27th with a torn labrum in his left hip.
C.J. Wilson could be a free-agent prize
Ever since Cliff Lee decided he didn’t want to sign a long term deal with the Texas Rangers during the off season, C.J. Wilson has stepped into the role of staff ace and has played it beautifully.
The soon-to-be 31-year-old right hander is 7-3 through 15 starts this season with a 3.03 ERA. He’s pitched well enough to be getting some attention from around the big leagues, especially teams who will be looking for pitching during the off season.
According to Mark Hale of the New York Post, the New York Yankees could potentially be a suitor for Wilson when the 2011 season comes to a close.
“And really, when you’re 40- or 50-years old, you’re going to look back on your career and say, ‘This is why I did it and I’m cool with it,'” Wilson told Hale. “When I was eight-years old, I wanted to win the World Series. When I was 12-years old, I wanted to win the World Series. It’s just always going to be that. It’s always going to be the deciding factor, one way or the other.”
Could Sean Marshall be on the Rangers’ radar?
For those fans of the Chicago Cubs or fans of other teams in the National League’s Central Division, you have probably seen left handed reliever Sean Marshall. If you haven’t seen him, you’ve probably been looking somewhere else because at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, Marshall is a hard guy to miss.
Ever since he transitioned from the starting rotation to the bullpen, Marshall has been nothing short of dominant.
In 80 games last season (74.2 IP), he finished 7-5 with a 2.65 ERA. This season, through 33 games (33.2 IP), Marshall sports a 3-2 record with a 2.41 ERA.
With the Rangers looking to better their bullpen for the stretch run, Marshall would be one of those guys who would be a solid addition if they could give the Cubs what they are looking for. Though Chicago has no reason to give him up, seeing as he’s still yet to turn 29 this year (Aug. 30th), he still has some good years ahead of him.
The left hander signed a 2-year $4.7 million extension with the team and he’s slated to earn $3.1 million next season.
Grant Balfour a good fit in Texas?
ESPN’s Buster Olney has a piece out this afternoon and brings up Oakland A’s right-hander Grant Balfour. Olney says the Rangers could be a good fit if Oakland decides they are too far out of the race to be contenders.
Balfour is in his very first season with the A’s and, according to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, is looking like an All-Star this season. In 32 appearances (31.1 IP), Balfour is 4-1 with a 2.59 ERA, holding apposing batters to a .205 batting average.
The 6-foot-2, 197-pound reliever from Australia is signed through 2012 with a $4.5 million club option for the 2013 season.