Kumar Rocker had a rough start in his first spring outing. Of note: it was a spring outing. Also of note, today’s starter is Nathan Eovaldi, who is making his second spring start.

So far the Rangers have used Eovaldi, Tyler Mahle, Cody Bradford, Jon Gray, and Kumar Rocker. One name glaringly missing is Jacob deGrom, who, according the The Dallas Morning News’s Shawn McFarland, has yet to throw a bullpen session.

Yes, deGrom is a veteran and has been through enough spring trainings to get a pass here and there. But starters need to work up their arms, get them spring enough to go the five innings that will be required of them per start. It seems the Rangers are going to baby deGrom’s surgically duct-taped arm to get every last pitch they can out of that enormous contract.

And every pitch deGrom throws could be his last. Each outing brings with it a mix of joy and dread. Joy in that he is the best Rangers pitcher in decades. Dread in that he is one breaking ball away from breaking down permanently.

At least the good news is, since starters aren’t required to go more than five innings, they can miss a few starts at the beginning of spring and still be ready to go. Used to be a pitcher would toss one inning in his first start, then three, then five, then seven, then shoot for nine. That’s why spring training is five weeks, to build up pitchers. But that was back when starters carried the weight of the pitching.

If deGrom pitched four innings his first start, that would be considered a success. Even a miracle in some circles.

So, for now, the Rangers five-man rotation doesn’t include deGrom. But when it does, one pitcher will be the odd-arm out. Spring training stats mean nothing. But Rockers first start was certainly not the kind of thing that wins him a spot in the rotation.

And that’s okay for two reasons. One, there’s no shame in getting more minor league experience. Two, there’s no telling how long deGrom will last.

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TODAY’S CACTUS LEAGUE GAME:

Texas vs Cleveland, 2:05

Radio: MLB Audio