Spring Training Game 4: Rangers (0-2-1) vs. Rockies (1-1)

Martin Perez (0-0, 0.00)

vs.

Chris Volstad (0-0, 0.00)

Spring Training Game 4: Rangers (0-2-1) at Rockies (1-1), 2:10 pm CT

Since Texas and Kansas City share a Spring Training facility, and the two teams alternated being designated as home and away over the last weekend, the Rangers have already played their first official "away" game, bu today they make their first road trip as they travel to take on the Colorado Rockies.  The Rangers will be looking for their first win, while the Rockies come in after splitting a pair of games with the Diamondbacks.

Texas is going to be sending Martin Perez out to start the game today, with Perez looking to impress manager Ron Washington enough to add him to the starting rotation out of camp.  Perez made his major league debut last year for the Rangers, going 1-4 in six starts, while appearing in a total of 12 games.  Perez struggled, posting a 5.45 ERA and giving up 26 runs in 38 innings.  In 115 appearances in the minors since 2008, Perez has a 27-30 record and a 4.23 career ERA.  He is widely considered, as he has been for some time, as one of the better arms in the Rangers organization.  If he wants to make his mark, the time is now, because the rotation needs a few quality arms to open the season due to injuries.

The Rockies will start veteran Chris Volstad today against Texas.  Volstad has made 123 career starts since 2008, spending time with the Marlins from 2008 until 2011, and he spent 2012 with the Cubs.  Volstad has a career 4.87 ERA and has a 35-51 record as a starter.  Last year, Volstad was 3-12 in 21 major league starts and posted the highest ERA of his major league career at 6.31.

Make sure and pay attention to which outfielders get the start today for Texas, as Washington continues to move guys around looking for the right combination to open the season.  Craig Gentry, Leonys Martin and Julio Borbon appear to be the guys competing for time with the big league team out of camp.  Also, continue to monitor two guys who could make the team as utility players, Jeff Baker and Leury Garcia.

Other Spring Training Action Today:

Grapefruit League:

Boston Red Sox (SS) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (2-1) - 12:05 pm CT

Boston Red Sox (SS) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (2-1) - 12:05 pm CT

Detroit Tigers (1-1) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (0-1) - 12:05 pm CT

Houston Astros (1-0) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (0-2) - 12:05 pm CT

Miami Marlins (1-0) vs. Atlanta Braves (0-3) - 12:05 pm CT
New York Yankees (1-1) vs. Baltimore Orioles (2-0) - 12:05 pm CT

Pittsburgh Pirates (2-0) vs. Minnesota Twins (0-2) - 12:05 pm CT

Washington Nationals (0-1) vs. New York Mets (1-0) - 5:10 pm CT

Notes:

Lots of big name pitchers are in action today in the Grapefruit League, including R.A. Dickey debuting for Toronto against Boston.  AdamWainwright of St. Louis and Cliff Lee of Philadelphia will make their first starts of the spring, and Gio Gonzalez of Washington and Kris Medlen of Atlanta will make their first starts for their respective teams before heading off to play for the United States in the World Baseball Classic.

Cactus League:

Los Angeles Angels (0-3) vs. Seattle Mariners (2-1) - 2:05 pm CT
Arizona Diamondbacks (1-1) vs. Kansas City Royals (2-0) - 2:05 pm CT
Chicago White Sox (1-0) vs. San Francisco Giants (1-1) - 2:05 pm CT
Chicago Cubs (2-0) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (0-1) - 2:05 pm CT
Cleveland Indians (4-0) vs. Oakland Athletics (1-1) - 2:05 pm CT

Milwaukee Brewers (SS) vs. Cincinnati Reds (0-3) - 2:05 pm CT

San Diego Padres (1-2) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (SS) - 2:05 pm CT

Notes:

Pitchers of note who are making their Spring Training debuts in the Cactus League today include Madison Bumgarner of San Francisco and Edinson Volquez of San Diego.  Also look out for Cincinnati Reds starter Armando Galarraga who is trying to make the big league team out of camp.  Of course Galarraga was the pitcher a couple of years ago who had a perfect game taken away from him by a bad call at first base.  He has bounced around a lot since that time, and Cincinnati has given him another chance.  And finally, look out for the red hot Cleveland Indians, who are 4-0 in Spring Training so far, as Terry Francona and his band of free agent acquisitions are injecting some life into this club.