Rangers tab Yovani Gallardo for Opening Day
The Texas Rangers will use their seventh different Opening Day starter in as many years when newcomer Yovani Gallardo takes the mound April 6 against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum, reported MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.
Though Gallardo joined the Rangers only two months ago following a trade with Milwaukee, most of the club's more senior starters remain either felled by injury or in the midst of recovery.
Yu Darvish appeared to be the obvious choice for the assignment before a torn ulnar collateral precipitated Tommy John surgery earlier this month, while left-hander Matt Harrison continues to recover from spinal fusion surgery and Derek Holland has made just one start this spring.
| Year | Starter | Decision | Score | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Kevin Millwood | W | 9–1 | Cleveland Indians |
| 2010 | Scott Feldman | ND (W) | 5–4 | Toronto Blue Jays |
| 2011 | C. J. Wilson | ND (W) | 9–5 | Boston Red Sox |
| 2012 | Colby Lewis | W | 3–2 | Chicago White Sox |
| 2013 | Matt Harrison | L | 2–8 | Houston Astros |
| 2014 | Tanner Scheppers | ND (L) | 10–14 | Philadelphia Phillies |
Gallardo, a free agent next winter, spent the last eight years with the Brewers, earning an All-Star appearance in 2010 and crafting a 3.51 ERA over 32 starts last season. Still, the 29-year-old remains eager to start a new chapter in Texas.
"I'm looking forward to a clean start this season," Gallardo told MLB.com's Quinn Roberts earlier this week. "It's a different year and a different team. I'm excited to join the Rangers."
HEADLINES
- Yankees' Schmidt: 'Sign the dotted line with however much' Soto wants
- Astros' Verlander allows 2 runs over 6 innings in season debut
- Rockies' Freeland out 4-6 weeks with elbow injury, says pitch clock could be factor
- Phils' Turnbull flirts with no-no, Bohm hits 2 HRs in win over White Sox
- Strider says bone fragment led to season-ending elbow surgery