Juan

Dominguez

He did not look good in his most recent start at Double-A Frisco, and as a result he will continue to pitch for the Rangers’ Class AA affiliate as long as the RoughRiders are in the playoffs.

Dominiguez, out since mid-June with a back injury could be back in Texas within the next week or so, assuming no further problems with his rehab.

Dominguez who has been out of action for three months with an upper back muscle injury, could rejoin the Rangers’ staff as early as this coming Monday. He could make an important start or two before the season is through.

This won’t help his case. Since he’s heading into the spring no higher than seventh on the SP depth chart, Dominguez is likely bound for Triple-A Oklahoma.

The rainouts and yesterday’s double header have created a problem for the Rangers. They don’t want to start Ryan Drese or Joaquin Benoit (yesterday’s starters) on just three days rest. So they will have to call up a starter from the minors, and Dominguez is the best bet. Mike Bacsik also is a possibility. Neither is worth picking up at the moment, as Wednesday’s starter will likely return to Oklahoma right after he pitches.

He will report to Double-A Frisco where he will pitch in a simualted game and make two rehab starts. If all goes well, Dominguez could return to the Rangers’ rotation when rosters expand in September.

It’s expected that the Rangers will send Joaquin Benoit to the bullpen, but they haven’t made that official yet. There isn’t much to be gained from bringing Dominguez to the majors or shifting Benoit to the bullpen now -- both are decisions that would be better left to be made in the spring -- but the Rangers just can’t help themselves. Since Dominguez will face the Tigers in his first start, AL-only leagues should go ahead and take a chance on him.

Dominguez is now a composite 10-0 at three different levels this season with a 2.87 ERA. He has 137 strikeouts in 131 2/3 innings and has held hitters to a .210 average. The Rangers may be getting a clue about their pitching prospects; instead of planning a callup for Dominguez, they may shut him down soon since he’s never pitched over 67 innings in a professional season.

''At some place we are going to replace him in the rotation,’' Showalter said. ''The when and where has not yet been decided.’'

Dominguez will be sent to the instructional league on Sept. 15, as the Rangers want him to improve his slider and work on holding baserunners. The hope is for Dominguez to pitch in winter ball with the slider to go with his fastball-changeup combination. Exactly who will replace Dominguez in the Texas rotation remains unclear. With Monday’s day off, the Rangers won’t need a fifth starter until Saturday.