Texas Rangers

Rangers Arms When the Rangers report to Spring Training, one primary theme figures to dominate the conversations of Texas fans: Will the starting rotation carry its share of the load as the Rangers attempt to build on their 2004 renaissance season?

The Rangers' starting rotation was held together last year by the solid contributions of Rogers and Drese, who each went past 200 innings, becoming the first pair of Texas pitchers to eclipse the 200-inning mark in a season since Rogers and Rick Helling did so in 2000. Rogers, who turned 40 in November, won a career high 18 games, the most by a Texas pitcher since Aaron Sele won 18 in 1999. Because Rogers does it with finesse rather than power, the Rangers are hopeful his age won't be a factor and he can emulate his All-Star form of 2004.

"Kenny was just a rock for us," manager Buck Showalter said. "He went out there time and time again and gave our ballclub a chance to win." Ryan Drese (P)
Born: 04/05/76
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 220 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R

Drese, who started the 2004 season at Triple-A Oklahoma, came up in mid-April and quickly established himself as a reliable starter. Using the sinker as his bread-and-butter pitch, Drese wound up working 207 2/3 innings. His 3.26 ERA at hitter-friendly Ameriquest Field was especially impressive. Beyond the top two, there are a lot of "ifs."

If Park avoids back problems and recaptures the form that once made him a Dodger mainstay; if Rodriguez comes back smoothly from a fractured elbow; if Young builds on an encouraging September; if Dominguez develops consistency and durability. Park, who still has two years left on the five-year, $65 million free agent deal he signed following the 2001 season, is ready to give it another whirl under the tutelage of pitching coach Orel Hershiser.

Park finished with a shutout in Seattle last Oct. 3, but entered the final day of the season just 3-7 with a 5.89 ERA over 15 starts. With $14 million of its payroll going to Park for the 2005 season, the Rangers are hopeful of seeing a return on that investment.

Rodriguez was 3-1 with a 2.03 ERA when a line drive shattered his right elbow in early July. If he can come back at 100 percent and pick up where he left off prior to the injury, it would be a huge boost for the rotation.

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