Texas Rangers Fantasy Baseball Closer Information and Depth Chart
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| TEX | Joe Nathan | Tanner Scheppers | Robbie Ross | Joe Nathan | 6/7/13 |
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Previous updates:
June 7, 2013
Texas Rangers – Ron Washington used Tanner Scheppers in a tied eighth inning, but since (as everyone knows) “you can’t use your closer on the road in the ninth inning of a tie ballgame,” out came Michael Kirkman and his 2.18 ERA WHIP for the ninth. Double, intentional walk, three-run homer, ballgame. Maybe Ron and Joe Nathan had dinner reservations. No hierarchy change.
April 27, 2013
Texas Rangers – Tanner Scheppers pitched the 8th inning last night, earning his 5th hold of the season. The young righty has yet to allow a single run this season through 12.2 innings and has become the most likely candidate for saves on nights when Joe Nathan is unavailable. Hierarchy change: Tanner Schepper to Set-up, Robbie Ross to 2nd in line.
April 22, 2013
Texas Rangers – Michael Kirkman picked up a 3-inning save in a blowout on Sunday. He does not figure in to the normal late-inning hierarchy in Texas. No hierarchy change.
April 9, 2013
Texas Rangers – Before the season, Ron Washington tabbed Robbie Ross and Michael Kirkman as his set-up men. Ross has been solid, but thus far, Kirkman is sporting a 13.50 ERA and has mostly been used as a match-up guy. Hard-throwing righty Tanner Scheppers has been the one throwing meaningful innings for the Rangers, and he hasn’t allowed a run through 4.2 innings thus far. Hierarchy change: Tanner Scheppers to 2nd in line, replacing Michael Kirkman.
April 1, 2013
Texas Rangers – Late last week, Ron Washington signaled that Robbie Ross and Michael Kirkman would be the team’s primary set-up men, moves that were reinforced over the weekend. Josh Lindblom, who many thought would serve as a late-inning man, was sent to the minors to be stretched out as a starter, while Jason Frasor was used in the 7th inning last night with the Rangers down four runs. Hierarchy change: Robbie Ross to Set-up, Michael Kirkman to 2nd in line.
February 24, 2013
Texas Rangers – Starting 2013 hierarchy: Closer- Joe Nathan, Set-up- Jason Frasor, 2nd in line- Josh Lindblom.
September 17, 2012
Texas Rangers – Koji Uehara picked up his first save of the season on Sunday. Joe Nathan has had some arm fatigue and is being rested. Uehara has been pitching a lot lately, having not allowed a run in September. Hierarchy change: Koji Uehara to 2nd in line, replacing Mike Adams.
September 14, 2012
Texas Rangers – On his third straight night of work, Joe Nathan was horrid, giving up three runs on four hits and blowing the save before being replaced by Koji Uehara. No hierarchy change.
August 5, 2012
Texas Rangers – A little over a week ago, reports emerged that the Rangers were trying to stretch Alexi Ogando out, and they seemed validated when Ogando was used for 2.2 innings nine days ago. But since then, he’s gone back to pitching 1 inning at a time, including last night, when he picked up his second save in a row (Joe Nathan needed a second day off after two marathon outings on Thursday and Friday). While Mike Adams will stick as the 8th inning guy regardless, Ogando appears to be the man the Rangers will use when Nathan is unavailable. Hierarchy change: Alexi Ogando to Set-up, Mike Adams to 2nd in line.
August 4, 2012
Texas Rangers – Joe Nathan was given a day off on Friday, but it was Alexi Ogando, not Mike Adams, who picked up the save in his stead– Adams pitched in his usual 8th inning role. However, the Rangers are reportedly looking to stretch Ogando out and return him to the rotation in the not-too-distant future, so Adams is still the guy most likely to see save chances on nights that Nathan is unavailable. No hierarchy change.
July 18, 2012
Texas Rangers – Alexi Ogando returned from the DL and was placed back in to the bullpen, where he will remain for the foreseeable future. He pitched 0.2 innings yesterday and will be used in a late-innings role, as he was before. Hierarchy change: Alexi Ogando to 2nd in line, replacing Tanner Scheppers.
July 13, 2012
Texas Rangers – With the second-best record in all of baseball, the Rangers will be buyers at the trade deadline. They might look to add a set-up man, as Mike Adams has been somewhat shaky this season, but no pick-up will supplant Joe Nathan at closer. TRADE DEADLINE BUY/SELL: None.
June 30, 2012
Texas Rangers – With both Joe Nathan and Mike Adams unavailable, the Rangers called on young Tanner Scheppers in the 9th inning yesterday. Scheppers was an unexpected choice, as he’d struggled so far this season since being called up in early June. But the righty is a former first round pick, and despite some early road bumps (his current ERA is 9.31), he’s been pitching in some high-leverage spots. Hierarchy change: Tanner Scheppers to 2nd in line, replacing Robbie Ross.
June 16, 2012
Texas Rangers – The Rangers placed Koji Uehara on the disabled list yesterday. Young lefty Robbie Ross is having an outstanding season and is the most likely candidate to inherit the 7th inning role. Hierarchy change: Robbie Ross to 2nd in line, Koji Uehara to DL.
June 8, 2012
Texas Rangers – With Derek Holland injured, Alexi Ogando is moving to the rotation. Koji Uehara (1.33 ERA, 0.54 WHIP), will assume Ogando’s role as the high-leverage 7th inning righty in the Rangers bullpen. Hierarchy change: Koji Uehara to 2nd in line, replacing Alexi Ogando.
April 14, 2012
Texas Rangers – Alexi Ogando got the save last night. Ron Washington declared after the game that Joe Nathan was still the closer but with Adams getting the save the night before, the Rangers have several other options if Nathan continues to struggle. Joe Nathan to Hot Seat.
April 13, 2012
Texas Rangers- Mike Adams, yesterday’s #1 candidate for a vulture save, filled in yesterday for Joe Nathan, who had the night off. No hierarchy change.
April 7, 2012
Texas Rangers- The Rangers, protecting a 1-run lead in the 7th inning last night, went to Alexi Ogando rather than Koji Uehara, who is coming off a rough spring training. Hierarchy change: Alexi Ogando to 2nd in line, replacing Koji Uehara.
March 24, 2012
Texas Rangers- Neftali Feliz has moved to the rotation and Joe Nathan will take over as closer. Mike Adams, acquired from San Diego at the trade deadline last year, will return as setup man. Koji Uehara remains the 7th-inning reliever. Starting 2012 hierarchy: Closer- Joe Nathan, Set-up- Mike Adams, 2nd in line- Koji Uehara.
Dec. 15, 2011
Texas Rangers- The Rangers have announced that Neftali Feliz will move to the rotation in 2012. Joe Nathan will assume the closer role. Hierarchy change: Joe Nathan to Closer, replacing Neftali Feliz.
Sept. 1, 2011
Texas Rangers- The Rangers acquired Mike Gonzalez from the Orioles last night. Gonzalez has a stellar ERA over the past month and a half and will likely assume the 7th inning role over Koji Uehara, who has struggled as of late. Hierarchy change: Gonzalez to 2nd in line, replacing Uehara.
Aug. 20, 2011
Texas Rangers- Despite blowing the game last night, Mike Adams returned to his 8th inning role even though Koji Uehara was also available in the bullpen. Adams responded well, logging two Ks in a spotless 8th inning. Hierarchy change: Adams to Set-Up, Uehara to 2nd in line.
Aug. 19, 2011
Texas Rangers- Neftali Feliz was given the night off after pitching four of the previous five games, and his temporary replacement, Mike Adams, faced only two batters in his save opportunity last night, yielding a single and a walk-off HR. Should Feliz need the day off again, Uehara will likely get the next save opp. Hierarchy change: Uehara to Set-Up, Adams to 2nd in line.
