Rocker to be Rangers closer to start season

Posted 6:34AM on Tuesday 26th March 2002 ( 23 years ago )

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - Texas Rangers closer Jeff Zimmerman is expected to start the season on the disabled list after tests confirmed Monday that he has tendinitis in his right elbow. As a result, former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker will be the Rangers' closer when they play their season opener next Monday at Oakland. Zimmerman returned from spring training in Florida for an examination by team physician Dr. John Conway, who determined that the pitcher has tendinitis and fluid around his tendon. Zimmerman, wanting a second opinion, flew later Monday to Los Angeles to be checked by orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum, Anaheim's team doctor. ``He just wanted to get some piece of mind,'' Rangers general manager John Hart said. ``It's a bad break for us. We've worked hard to assemble a strong bullpen, one of the strengths of the club. Hopefully, we have enough ammunition at this time.'' The Rangers hadn't yet placed Zimmerman on the disabled list Monday. Team spokesman John Blake said Conway's recommendation for Zimmerman was to rest the arm. Blake said Zimmerman might not pitch again until May 1. Zimmerman, who has pitched for the Rangers since March 6, couldn't be reached for comment. After replacing injured pitcher Tim Crabtree last year, Zimmerman converted 28 of 31 save opportunities and ended the season with 17 straight conversions, a team record. Before that, he was a setup man with just four saves in two seasons. Zimmerman, who got a tryout with the Rangers four years ago when they were the only team to respond to the resume he faxed to every team, got a $10 million, three-year contract extension during the offseason. Rocker is the most experienced closer on the roster, with 87 career saves and a 3.05 ERA in 248 major league game. Last season, Rocker had 19 saves in 23 tries with Atlanta before being traded to Cleveland on June 22. He lost the closer role there, and went 3-7 with a 5.45 ERA and four saves in seven attempts with the Indians. Rocker came to Texas knowing the situation, but wanted to be a closer again. ``Until I'm at the end of my career, I'll always be ready mentally to close,'' Rocker said. ``That's what I've done the last three years. But mentally, I'm ready to do any role they ask me. I'll leave the decision making up to them.'' Zimmerman's injury decided the issue for now. In his last spring outing, Sunday against Pittsburgh, Rocker retired the side in order in the fifth inning. He struck out two of the three batters he faced. On Friday, 10 of the 11 pitches Rocker threw against Minnesota were strikes. Rocker struggled early in the spring while working to add a changeup. That was before a meeting in which manager Jerry Narron told the left-hander ``to turn things up a bit.'' ``I like what I've seen the last couple of times,'' Narron said. ``He's been very focused his last times out.'' Rocker has allowed 12 hits and seven runs - five earned - in 10 innings this spring. Zimmerman cut short a throwing session Sunday. He had been working out on his own since feeling tightness in his arm early in the spring. ``The elbow isn't any worse. It's just not getting any better,'' Hart said. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: lefthander Randy Wolf won't start against the Braves next week in the Phillies' second game of the season. Wolf was scheduled to be the Phillies' No. 2 starter, but he has tendinitis in his elbow. Vicente Padilla will take Wolf's spot against the Braves, and David Coggin will pitch Philadelphia's fifth game, against Florida if Wolf isn't ready. Padilla and Coggin were fighting for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Padilla appeared to be winning the battle, but manager Larry Bowa insists the final decision isn't made.

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