The Texas Rangers have optioned starting pitcher Ariel Jurado to Triple-A Nashville. His chances of making the opening day rotation were remote, but we’re now certain it won’t happen. With Jurado now absent from camp, five starting arms remain — Mike Minor, Lance Lynn, Drew Smyly, Edinson Volquez and Shelby Miller.
If you’ve followed the Rangers at all this offseason, you know that four of those starters have recently undergone Tommy John surgery. Minor is the only exception; however, he’s dealt with his own arm issues in the past, having missed all of 2015 and 2016 recovering from shoulder surgery.