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You've got your #3 starter, who hasn't pitched a big league game in a year, missing Opening Day.

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I thought Perez was the #3 starter and was the leading candidate to take the mound for OD?

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You've got your #1 starter questionable enough to miss Opening Day.

You've got your #2 starter *hopefully* back by the ASB.

You've got your #3 starter, who hasn't pitched a big league game in a year, missing Opening Day.


You can play it cool and act like this is just like any of the last few contending seasons, but it's not anywhere close. The rotation right now looks like it did circa 2008.

But hey, if you think Scott Baker in the OD rotation is nothing to be worried about because he might "step up", more power to ya.

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Hayden is in full blown panic mode.

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I thought Perez was the #3 starter and was the leading candidate to take the mound for OD?

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I'd say, if healthy, Matt Harrison would have possibly fit in the #3 slot. Perez is a capable #3, but in a strong rotation is much better suited as a #4.

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Hayden is in full blown panic mode.

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Joe Saunders and Scott Baker are projected to make the rotation by many.

I'd say if that is happening, the front office felt a need to panic as well.

Scheppers to get the opening day start. Followed by Perez Ross Saunders and Nick Martinez on April 8

So I guess JD threw my application to start out...

This is going to be a crazy season. I saw Martinez' name mentioned in recent ST starts but him in the rotation is a complete shock to me.

I guess they felt Hanson's velocity was still a lingering issue that wasn't going to improve.

I like the idea of giving the young guys a look. Reminds me of the '90s when the Rangers were forced to burn up lots of minor league pitchers to fill holes in the Bigs.

Recap:
Scheppers (27) - 0 GS \ 109 Career IP in MLB
Martin Perez (22) - 26 GS \ 162.1 Career IP in MLB
Ross (24) - 0 GS \ 127.1 Career IP in MLB
Saunders (32) - 221 GS \ 1344.1 Career IP in MLB
Martinez (23) - 4 GS \ 32.0 Career IP in AA (Highest level achieved)

4 guys combine for 26 Career GS in MLB. Three will be making their MLB SP debut next week. I'm hoping the plan is to give Martinez 2 GS to bridge to a regular rotation and Darvish's return.

That rotation is crazy! But I like it... no expectations. And I'm not even a Homer.

Scheppers will be the 2nd pitcher since 1945 to make his first major league start on opening day.

And from Evan Grant:

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It is perhaps the most unlikely opening day rotation in Rangers history. None of the five were in the opening day rotation last year and three of the five have never made a major league start.

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But, ya know, no different than any other year.

I had never heard of Nick Martinez before today.

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Scheppers will be the 2nd pitcher since 1945 to make his first major league start on opening day

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Puts him on a list with Fernando Valenzuela.

I thought David Clyde did that? Or was he called up after the draft (mid season)

tanner, martin and 3 days of hopin...

Martin, Tanner, and 3 days of swinging the hammer?

Clyde wasn't opening day, he was just signed and immediately started in the bigs (no minors).

Darvish cleared. Will resume throwing.

Colby was "cleared" to resume throwing in Dec 2012.

Colby is also pissed he will be starting in the minors.

Where did they come from:
(Age when drafted\signed)
Scheppers(22): Rangers 1st Round 2009 (44th pick) - Supplemental pick for Milton Bradley
--- Matt Purke drafted ahead of him, but unsigned. Was a 2nd Rd by Pitt in 2008
Perez (16): 2007 International signing
Ross (19): Rangers 2nd Round 2008 (57th pick). Justin Smoak was Rangers 1st Rd pick
Martinez (21): Rangers 18th Round 2011. Could be first-fruits from 2011 draft.