Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels is critical of the team considering moving from a five-man starting rotation to a six-man rotation in 2018, according to an ESPN report.
Hamels, 34, said after a spring training game Saturday that “you might as well be in college” if the team rotates six starters rather than five.
“It’s not part of baseball,” Hamels said. “I know that’s the new analytical side of trying to reinvent the wheel, but I was brought up in the minor leagues on the five-man [rotation], and that’s what I’m designed and conditioned for.”
Rangers manager Jeff Banister said the team is merely “exploring” the idea, but hasn’t decided to commit to it yet.
“I love the fact that Cole continues to talk about it, explore it, and we’ll continue to explore anything that’s going to help these guys get better in this organization,” Banister said. “I love the fact that these guys have opinions on it. They should. It’s investment in themselves and in this team.”
The Rangers also employ starters Doug Fister, Martin Perez, Matt Moore and Mike Minor, and they recently signed former San Francisco Giants star Tim Lincecum, who didn’t play in the majors last year. Texas general manager Jon Daniels told a radio station that Lincecum has “totally transformed his body” after recovering from a hip injury a few years ago, but declined to say what his role would be.
Hamels is entering his fourth season with the Rangers after the Philadelphia Phillies traded him to Texas in 2015. He went 11-6 with a 4.20 ERA last year.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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