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Rangers’ rotation dealt tough injury update

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Dan Fappiano | Last updated 5/8/24

Before the 2024 season even began, the Texas Rangers were decimated by pitching injuries. While they’ve managed to keep hold of their AL East lead, things will become much trickier for the Rangers after their latest injury.

Texas is placing Dane Dunning on the injured list due to a shoulder problem, manager Bruce Bochy confirmed, via Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. There’s no word on exactly how or when Dunning suffered his injury, nor how long he will be on the injured list. However, his scheduled start on Friday will no longer go on as planned.

The Rangers are hoping that Dunning misses the minimum amount of time on the IL as the right-hander just appeared to be hitting his stride. He allowed three earned runs over his last two starts, which encompassed 10 innings total. Dunning allowed seven hits total and struck out 14 while walking just one.

Over the entire 2024 campaign, Dunning has pitched to a 3-2 record with a 4.10 ERA and a 43/17 K/BB ratio. He broke onto the scene in 2023, holding a 12-7 record with a 3.70 ERA and a 140/55 K/BB ratio. His ERA and strikeouts were both career-bests as Dunning pitched in a career-high 35 games and 172.2 innings.

While the Rangers were hoping for a repeat in 2024, they will now have to wait. Once Texas knows more about Dunning’s injury they will be able to develop a clearer timetable. Until then, all the Rangers know is that yet another pitcher has hit the injured list.

Rangers’ pitching staff bit by injury bug

Texas Rangers pitcher Dane Dunning (33) on the mound during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports

Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Tyler Mahle all began the season on the injured list. Mahle and deGrom are recovering from Tommy John surgery while Scherzer is battling thumb and back injuries. All three are poised to make their return in 2024, but nothing has been set in stone as to when they would occur.

The Rangers signed Michael Lorenzen to help fill the holes left in their rotation. Yet he began the season injured as well and made his debut in mid April. But once Lorenzen joined the rotation, Cody Bradford left it. His impressive season came to a halt due to a rib fracture.

You’d think the injury bug would be satiated by then, but Texas still felt the effects of the infection. Once the calendar struck May, Nathan Eovaldi then found himself on the IL with a groin injury, he has been out ever since.

Despite all of their injuries, the Rangers have managed to put up the 11th-best ERA in MLB at 3.70. Their .214 batting average against is tied for third-best while Texas’ 316 strikeouts rank tied for 12th.

But now the Rangers must move forward without Dane Dunning. The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time with how badly Texas is reeling in that department. Their only hope now is that Dunning can quickly overcome his shoulder injury and rejoin the rotation. A long-term IL stint would be devastating.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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