Koronka Makes Case For Rotation Spot

John Koronka, the struggler in the first turn through the field for the fifth spot in the Rangers rotation, evened the derby up some with three efficient and scoreless innings in Wednesday's 9-8 win over Arizona.

Koronka threw only 31 pitches in his three innings. He needed to go to the bullpen and throw an additional 15 pitches to reach his quota for the day. It was quite a turnaround from five days earlier when he couldn't finish his two innings against Kansas City.

Through the first week of exhibitions, there has been little separation in the fight for the fifth spot. Since Koronka's poor first outing, six of the pitchers in the seven-man competition (John Rheinecker hasn't yet pitched in a game) have not allowed an earned run in 14 2/3 innings.

"They have to keep doing that," manager Ron Washington said. "If they all do that and we have to make a choice, well, we'll know that we can't get it wrong."

Edinson Volquez, John Rheinecker and Koronka are among the candidates for the Rangers No. 5 spot in the rotation.
Source: dallasnews.com