In an attempt to bolster the league's worst bullpen, the Rangers called up prized prospect Derek Holland from Class AAA Oklahoma on Saturday. Holland replaces Josh Rupe, who was designated for assignment after compiling a 15.63 ERA in the first 10 games of the season.
Holland, 22, is considered a starter for the long-term, but will get something of an apprenticeship in the bullpen. Holland has made just five career appearances above Class A, including just one above Double-A. He allowed four runs in four innings in his Class AAA debut last week. He was, however, 13-1 last year with a composite 2.27 ERA at three levels of the system. "There were those (in the organization) who thought that he was one of our 12 best pitchers coming out of spring training," GM Jon Daniels said. "We feel he can continue to develop up here while helping the club in the bullpen."
That the move took place on Saturday, 14 days into the season, means that Holland won't get a full year of service this season (even if he stays in the majors the rest of the way). He will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season. Daniels said that was a benefit to making the move when the Rangers did, but the club did not purposely wait until it had crossed the service-time threshold before making the move.
It's the second move the Rangers have made in the bullpen in the first two weeks of the season. Willie Eyre was brought up last week to replace the struggling Warner Madrigal. The Rangers bullpen entered Sunday with the AL's worst ERA: 8.63.
RANGERS 6, ROYALS 5: 3B Michael Young capped off a late-inning come back with the first walk-off home run of his career Sunday as the Rangers avoided a sweep with a win over Kansas City. The Rangers had twice taken the lead early in the game only to have RHP Vicente Padilla lose it in the ensuing half inning and they eventually fell behind 5-3. In the eighth, though, the club mounted a rally on a leadoff double, an error by Kansas City 1B Billy Butler, and a hit off the glove of 2B Alberto Callaspo. It tied the game at five. After RHP Frank Francisco held the Royals scoreless in the top of the inning, Young, who was leading off the bottom of the inning, drove a high fastball from RHP Kyle Farnsworth into the bullpen seats.
