Jason

Hammel

It is very odd timing considering the Rangers announced yesterday that Hammel had made their Opening Day roster. He went 4-14 with a 6.02 ERA in 18 starts and 21 relief appearances last year for the Royals.

Hammel has had a decent spring with a 4.15 ERA and 12/4 K/BB ratio over 13 innings. He’ll be used in long relief but could eventually make some starts.

Hammel served up solo blasts to Leury Garcia and Yonder Alonso in the third inning. He recorded a pair of strikeouts and also walked two batters. The 36-year-old righty failed to land a spot in the Rangers’ Opening Day rotation and has already stated that he will not report to Triple-A. At this point, he’s fighting for a spot in the Texas bullpen or in another teams rotation this season.

“I certainly won’t go to Triple-A,” Hammel said. “This is a grind. If it requires me to go home, I know my family is waiting for me and has been for a while. I’m more than willing to go home and spend time with them.” Hamel has been excellent this spring, but is battling for one of the final roster spots on the Texas staff. It sounds like he’s going to make the club right now, but it sounds like he’ll be out of the game -- even for a short time -- if he isn’t placed on the 25-man roster.

Hammel gave up two hits — both singles — and walked a batter while fanning five. It’s the latest strong outing from the veteran right-hander, who owns a 1.04 ERA with 10 strikeouts over 8 2/3 innings this spring. T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that Hammel has no interest in going to the minors, so he’s likely to seek an opportunity elsewhere if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster.

Hammel is now 36 and holds an ugly 5.59 ERA over the last two seasons, but he’s not a bad depth guy for a team that’s in need of it. He’ll try to win a rotation spot this spring or could be a fit as a swingman.

Hammel will receive a $2 million buyout from the Royals and become a free agent. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a rough 6.02 ERA over 18 starts and 21 relief appearances in 2018. He could struggle to draw much interest this offseason, at least in the way of a guaranteed major league deal.

Hammel will get the start in place of the injured Jae Seo on Friday. Hammel was hit hard in two starts for the Rays back in April and he’s been a mild disappointment in Triple-A this year, so he’s not worth grabbing in AL-only leagues right now.

He gave up five hits, walked four and struck out just one, so it wasn’t an especially impressive performance. Hammel will likely get at least one more start while Jae Seo is on the disabled list. He’s not to be touched in AL-only leagues.

He gave up just three hits, a run and three walks, striking out four, to lower his ERA to 5.61. Hammel has given up three runs or less in his last four starts, so he might be worth considering in AL-only leagues.