The Texas Rangers have announced that Cole Hamels will make a rehab start for the Frisco RoughRiders on Friday. The injured pitcher will make the appearance with the Double-A affiliate after hitting the disabled list May 2. The lefty has been suffering from a strained right oblique. Reports are indicating that he’s likely to make at least three rehab starts before being considered to rejoin the Rangers.
Rangers manager Jeff Banister stated that Hamels will likely pitch four innings in his rehab start with the RoughRiders, aiming to see about 65 pitches from him.
Hamels will be pitching against the San Antonio Missions, Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. The game is scheduled to start at 7:05 PM CT, at Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. You can watch the game via MiLB.tv, or listen to the broadcast at RidersBaseball.com.
Cole Hamels will be joining Carlos Gomez and Mike Napoli in Frisco. Gomez has already had two rehab starts with the RoughRiders. Napoli made his first appearance Thursday night and may continue his rehab assignment on Friday. You can read about both players’ rehab appearances here.
The Frisco RoughRiders were previously home to Jose Leclerc, as he made a couple of rehab appearances with the club as well.
Be on the lookout for the Rangers to make roster moves soon. Carlos Gomez will be rejoining the club shortly, along with pitcher Tyson Ross. Mike Napoli will not be long behind them. Pending a few positive starts from Cole Hamels, he will likely be with the club in a couple of weeks.
Jurickson Profar is the likely candidate to be sent down to Round Rock, the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate. Ryan Rua, Jared Hoying, and Delino DeShields are other possible players that could be sent down, in addition to Profar.