Colby Lewis is hoping to begin a rehab assignment on May 9th in AAA Round Rock. Lewis has been a key arm in the Texas Rangers’ rotation since their rise to prominence in 2010 but is likely considered an after-thought so far in 2013.
Though Lewis and fellow rotation stalwart, Matt Harrison are both injured and on the DL, Texas leads the AL in team ERA (3.21) and is third in the AL in starter ERA at 3.30. Martin Perez, who was slated as the team’s fifth starter in the spring, is also currently out with injury.
Yu Darvish is enjoying a breakout season where he may end up the AL leader in strikeouts and is currently posting a 2.33 ERA through the first month of the regular season. Following behind Darvish has been: Alexei Ogando, Derek Holland, Nick Tepesch and Justin Grimm.
Of the four, the highest ERA is owned by the rookie Tepesch at just 3.54 in 28 innings. Ogando and Holland, both expected to stay in the rotation year-round, are right behind with a 3.38 ERA mark. Grimm, alsoa rookie, like Tepesch is likely also overachieving in a very small sample size. Grimm has given up just three earned runs in 17 innings over three starts.
Lewis has been resting an injured elbow and should be fully rehabbed by the end of May if he suffers no setbacks. He is fully expected to rejoin the rotation and will not have to compete for his spot. The Rangers’ staff has been resilient in his absence and has proven it has starting pitching depth available for the inevitable division run in the AL West this season
