Kumar Rocker was unhittable in his latest Minor League rehab start as he nears a return to the Rangers.
Rocker pitched four hitless innings for the Express on Thursday against visiting Reno, allowing just one walk and recording five strikeouts. He retired the first 12 hitters he faced before Trey Mancini worked a walk to lead off the fifth inning, ending Rocker’s night.
It was Rocker’s second rehab appearance of the season, following Friday’s three-inning outing for Double-A Midland in which he allowed two hits and no runs while striking out three. After that game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Rocker (right shoulder impingement) would need a few more appearances before returning to the big leagues.
That is likely still true after Rocker threw just 53 pitches in Thursday’s start for Round Rock. He has maxed out at 78 pitches in 2025, which came when he threw seven innings against the Angels on April 17.
Rocker, the Rangers’ No. 2 prospect when he debuted in September 2024, has a 6.54 ERA in eight career Major League starts.