Rangers call up RHP Kumar Rocker for MLB debut vs. Mariners

The Texas Rangers selected the contract of Kumar Rocker from Triple-A Round Rock and the right-hander will make his major league debut when he starts Thursday night against the Seattle Mariners.

To make room on the active roster, the Rangers designated right-hander Chase Anderson for assignment.

Rocker, 24, has a 1.96 ERA in 10 appearances across three levels of the minor leagues this season after his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

In two starts for Triple-A Round Rock, he allowed two runs on four hits over 10 innings, with one walk and 18 strikeouts. He was the No. 3 overall draft pick by the Rangers in the 2022 draft out of Vanderbilt.

Rocker is the son of Tennessee Titans defensive line coach Tracy Rocker, who attended his team’s practice Thursday, flew to Seattle to see his son’s MLB debut then plans on being back at practice in Nashville on Friday.

Anderson, 36, is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 29 appearances (one start) this season for the Boston Red Sox and Rangers. He made just two relief appearances with Texas. In 11 MLB seasons, Anderson is 59-58 with a 4.41 ERA in 247 appearances (201 starts) for nine different clubs.