Texas Rangers pitchers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker were both optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday. As part of the move pitchers Marc Church and Daniel Robert were recalled from Triple-A Round Rock. The move was simply to preserve Leiter and Rocker's arms and give the Rangers a couple new arms to finish the season. Leiter pitched to an underwhelming 8.83 ERA with a 1.710 WHIP. Rocker recorded a 3.86 ERA in 11.2 IP, though his 1.543 WHIP suggests his ERA could have ended higher. Both Leiter and Rocker appear to be in the Rangers' plans for 2025, though dynasty managers will likely want to keep a closer eye on Rocker than Leiter. Church could be a solid option out of the Rangers' bullpen to finish the season and has impressed at Triple-A, recording a 3.22 ERA and a 9.7 K/9 in 22.1 IP. Robert previously appeared in three games for the Rangers in July, giving up only two ER in 4.2 IP.

Texas Rangers right-handed pitching prospect Kumar Rocker is making his second career major-league start on Thursday at Globe Life Field against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. Rocker, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, went four innings in his major-league debut on Sept. 12 against the division-rival Seattle Mariners and allowed just one earned run on three hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out seven to earn another start. With the Rangers out of playoff contention despite winning the World Series last fall, they have elected to give Rocker a little run in the big leagues to close out the year after he was dominant down on the farm in 2024 after coming back from Tommy John surgery. Rocker may not go deep in Thursday's contest, but he still has plenty of strikeout upside. There's a good chance he'll make one more start before the season is over.