After a long road to recovery, Texas Rangers pitcher Tyler Mahle is set to make his return to the major leagues after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023. Mahle, who signed with the Rangers as a free agent in December, has been patiently waiting for this moment and is eager to contribute to his new team.
The 29-year-old right-hander has spent seven seasons in the majors, primarily with the Cincinnati Reds before being traded to the Minnesota Twins in 2022. He had a standout season in 2021, posting a 3.75 ERA in 33 starts for the Reds.
Mahle proved himself ready to return to the big leagues by compiling a 2.50 ERA in 18 innings across six minor league rehab starts over the past month. His last big league outing before the surgery was on April 27, 2023, and he is excited to be back on the mound competing with his teammates.
The timing of Mahle’s return is crucial for the Rangers, who have been short on starting pitching. With key pitchers like Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer out with injuries, Mahle’s presence will provide a much-needed boost to the team.
In his debut game against the Houston Astros, Mahle’s goal is simple – to give good innings and help the Rangers secure a win in the middle contest of a three-game series. He understands the importance of staying focused on making pitches and not trying to do too much on the mound.
The Rangers are coming off a thrilling 4-3 victory in the series opener, with Josh Smith hitting a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th inning. Corey Seager has been a standout performer for Texas, hitting his fourth homer in as many games.
On the other side, the Astros are also facing struggles, having lost six of their last eight games. Houston left-hander Framber Valdez will take the mound against Mahle, looking to extend his winning streak to six games.
Valdez has been impressive in his recent outings, with a 5-0 record and a 2.95 ERA in his last seven starts. He will be looking to continue his dominance against the Rangers, despite struggling against them in last season’s American League Championship Series.
As the two teams face off in what promises to be an exciting matchup, both Mahle and Valdez will be looking to lead their respective teams to victory. With both pitchers in top form, fans can expect a competitive and thrilling game between these division rivals.
