Rangers Name Dunning as Monday’s Starting Pitcher
Dane Dunning will be taking the mound tonight for the Texas Rangers.
Originally, the Rangers had yet to determine the starting pitchers for both Monday’s and Wednesday’s games against the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, it has now been confirmed that Dane Dunning will start tonight’s game, leaving only one “to be determined” spot for this series.
It seems likely that the team delayed announcing Dunning as the starter in case he was needed in relief during yesterday’s game.
Dunning will be pitching on his regular rest, having last started against the Red Sox on August 14, where he gave up four runs over five innings. Before that, Dunning had not started since June 16, as he had been pitching out of the bullpen when not on the injured list.
If Dunning had been unavailable, the team’s next option would have been Jose Urena. Urena has filled in the rotation after injuries to Jon Gray and Max Scherzer but has struggled in his three starts, recording a 10.66 ERA over 12.2 innings, with five strikeouts, five walks, and three home runs allowed.
Cody Bradford is slated to start on Tuesday, while Wednesday’s starter is still undecided. There is speculation that Jon Gray might return from the injured list to pitch against Cleveland this weekend.
Gray, who has been sidelined since exiting his July 28 start against the Blue Jays due to groin discomfort before throwing a pitch, threw a simulated game on Saturday and could be activated without a rehab assignment.
