TEXAS RANGERS NEWS

Ian Kennedy - Mops up in loss Kennedy threw a scoreless eighth inning in Friday's 2-0 loss to the Cubs.

Impact Kennedy made his second appearance of the season, both as the final pitcher in 2-0 losses. He earned a roster spot with an effective stint in the Cactus League and was considered a possible closer candidate due to Jose Leclerc's neck injury in spring training, but with Leclerc healthy and Will Smith added to the roster, it looks like Kennedy will serve as a competent bullpen arm that can pitch in a variety of roles.

APRIL 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cole Ragans - Strikes out three Ragans allowed one hit and struck out three over a scoreless 1.1 innings in Friday's 2-0 loss to the Cubs.

Impact Ragans held the Cubs in check over the end of the sixth and all of the seventh innings, but Texas bats (three hits) could never get on track. The hard-throwing left hander has walked four batters over 3.1 innings but has managed to prevent damage while striking out five. With the news that Jake Odorizzi will have season-ending shoulder surgery, Ragans should continue to serve as a reliever capable of multiple innings.

APRIL 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

How to Watch Rangers, Cubs The Texas Rangers hope to bounce back from a loss when they face the Chicago Cubs on Saturday at Wrigley Field.

APRIL 8, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Leody Taveras - Begins rehab Taveras (oblique) is 0-for-7 in two games for Double-A Frisco while on rehab assignment.

Impact Taveras went hitless in four at-bats as the designated hitter Thursday then got three at-bats Friday in center field for the RoughRiders. Teams usually like to see an injured player in the field for back-to-back games before activating him, which suggests Taveras' possible return could be Monday, when the Rangers return home for a three-game set with the Royals.

APRIL 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Josh H. Smith - Reaches twice in return Smith started in left field and went 1-for-2 and was hit by a pitch in Friday's 2-0 loss to the Cubs.

Impact Smith returned to action after recovering from a facial injury, which was the result of being hit by a pitch. The infielder-outfielder has been hit in three straight games. With news that center fielder Leody Taveras (oblique) has begun a rehab assignment, Smith's days as the starting left fielder against right-handers are numbered. When Taveras is ready, Robbie Grossman is expected to move from right to left field, while Adolis Garcia slides from center to right field.

APRIL 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers seek lost batting stroke vs. Cubs After opening the season with some offensive potency, the Texas Rangers have cooled off.

APRIL 8, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

Cubs meet the Rangers with 1-0 series lead

The Chicago Cubs bring a 1-0 advantage into the latest game of the series against the Texas Rangers

APRIL 8, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rangers Prospect Owen White Makes 2023 Debut Owen White is the Texas Rangers’ No. 3 overall prospect and made his 2023 season debut for the Frisco RoughRiders on Friday.

APRIL 8, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Nathan Eovaldi - Gets little help in loss Eovaldi (1-1) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over 5.2 innings as the Rangers fell 2-0 to the Cubs. he struck out six.

Impact The right-hander put together a strong outing, coming one out short of a quality start and tossing 56 of 89 pitches for strikes, but he got outdueled by Marcus Stroman. Eovaldi will take a 4.22 ERA and 12:3 K:BB through 10.2 innings into his next start, likely to come at home next week against the Royals.

APRIL 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Eovaldi reminds Rangers what he can do for rotation CHICAGO -- Nathan Eovaldi likes a good, old-fashioned pitchers’ duel. He likes it even better on the road, with the potential opportunity to...

APRIL 7, 2023 • MLB.COM

Rangers Suffer 'Blow' to Pitching Staff The Texas Rangers have lost pitcher Jake Odorizzi for the season after he underwent surgery.

APRIL 7, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Rangers Suffer 'Blow' to Pitching Staff The Texas Rangers have lost pitcher Jake Odorizzi for the season after he underwent surgery.

APRIL 7, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Marcus Stroman, Cubs shut out Rangers Marcus Stroman allowed just two hits over six more strong innings, and Cody Bellinger and Ian Happ each delivered two-out RBIs, as the Chica...

APRIL 7, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Texas Rangers at Chicago Cubs Preview - 04/08/2023 This browser does not support the video element.

APRIL 7, 2023 • MLB.COM

Jack Leiter Makes 2023 Minor League Debut Jack Leiter is the Texas Rangers’ No. 5 prospect and is starting his second professional season in the organization.

APRIL 7, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

Jack Leiter Makes 2023 Minor League Debut Jack Leiter is the Texas Rangers’ No. 5 prospect and is starting his second professional season in the organization.

APRIL 7, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Stroman pitches 6 innings as Cubs blank Texas Rangers 2-0

Marcus Stroman pitched six sparkling innings and Cody Bellinger hit a go-ahead RBI single, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Texas Rangers 2-0

APRIL 7, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rangers RHP Jake Odorizzi (shoulder) out for season Texas Rangers right-hander Jake Odorizzi will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing an arthroscopic debridement procedure on his...

APRIL 7, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Rangers Make Move in First Power Rankings of Season The Texas Rangers went 4-2 for the first week of the MLB 2023 season, including a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.

APRIL 7, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Shoulder surgery sidelines Odorizzi for entire '23 season CHICAGO -- Just a week into the season, the Rangers' pitching staff has already taken a hit on the injury front. Texas right-hander Jake Odo...

APRIL 7, 2023 • MLB.COM

Jake Odorizzi - Having season-ending surgery Odorizzi will be sidelined for the remainder of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Odorizzi missed all of spring training with a shoulder issue and ultimately it was determined surgery was the best route. It's a blow to the Rangers' rotation depth and poor timing for Odorizzi, who is slated to become a free agent after the season.

APRIL 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jonah Heim - Breather Friday Heim is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Cubs.

Impact Heim will take a seat Friday as the Rangers travel to Chicago. Mitch Garver will replace him behind the plate and bat seventh in the series opener.

APRIL 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Josh H. Smith - Back in action Friday Smith (face) is back in the Rangers' lineup Friday versus the Cubs.

Impact It's his first start since he had to exit Monday's game against the Orioles when he was hit in the face by a pitch. Smith will play left field and bat ninth versus Marcus Stroman.

APRIL 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Texas Rangers vs. Chicago Cubs FREE LIVE STREAM (4/7/23): Watch MLB on Apple TV+ | Time, TV, channel The Texas Rangers face the Chicago Cubs in a regular season game on Friday, April 7, 2023 (4/7/23) at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.

APRIL 7, 2023 • NJ.COM

Dane Dunning Brings Relief to Rangers No Texas Rangers reliever has logged more work without giving up a run than Dane Dunning after six games.

APRIL 7, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM