Pitcher Bartolo Colon accomplished something with his Monday night start that no other Rangers pitcher had done so far in 2018…he took his start through six innings. With the roster moves that will have to be made as soon as Thursday (Martin Perez), there have been mixed feelings on whether Bartolo Colon will stay in the Rangers rotation or even in the bullpen.
#BigSexy lived up to his name tonight in his #TexasRangers debut! pic.twitter.com/LDEeSqZJfk
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) April 3, 2018
But the one person who matters when it comes to whether Colon stays or goes is Rangers GM Jon Daniels. His thoughts on the matter were expressed to the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram on Tuesday, “This early in the season, I’m more of the mind-set to add to our depth rather than to take it away. Injuries and circumstances happen, and they happen quick during the year.”
In order to keep this depth, the Rangers seem to have a couple options. Those options are pitchers Jesse Chavez and Jose Leclerc. One of those may go down to Frisco (AAA) if they decide to keep Colon and add him to the bullpen and give him an occasional start when those circumstances Daniels mentioned do occur.
If the Big Sexy Bartolo Colon can keep his ERA at a manageable level i.e. no where near the 6.48 ERA he compiled in as a member of the Braves and Twins in 2017, Rangers fans could see this big hunk of a pitcher around for at least the rest of the early season.
Unfortunately, being an AL team it’s doubtful Rangers fans will get a chance to watch Colon hit. That’s always a fun sight to see…. here are some highlights: