Texas Rangers’ Roy Oswalt Set to Make His First Start of 2012

After spending most of the first half of the season deciding where he would play, Roy Oswalt will finally pitch

in a Major League game again.  He was a free agent last season, and he seemed willing to hold out as long as it took to find the right deal.  Eventually the Texas Rangers gave him that deal.

Oswalt signed a one year, $5 million contract with the Rangers.  Because he had missed so much time, the club sent him in to their minor league system to essentially shake off the rust.  Oswalt has done that and is ready to start on Friday against the Colorado Rockies in Arlington, Texas.

At 34, Oswalt and the Rangers are hoping he still has something left in the tank.  In 2011, Oswalt was 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA.  He only started 23 games and pitched 139 innings due to injury, but much of his numbers were indicative of a pitcher who could still pitch at the Major League level.

In his career, Oswalt has been dominant.  Over the course of 11 seasons, he has a 159-93 with a 3.21 ERA.  He has struck out 1,759 batters, walked just 500, and has a career ERA+ of 133.  Oswalt is a three-time All-Star, and he’s finished in the top-five for Cy Young voting five times, including his rookie season in which he also finished second in ROY voting.

Despite his success, Oswalt’s body seemed to be breaking down on him.  In two of his last three years, he failed to reach the 200 innings-pitched mark.  Part of this was due to injury and part was due to family concerns.  No matter the case, the Rangers have suddenly found themselves with what seems to be an ever-increasing list of pitchers hitting the disabled list.  Oswalt’s addition come Friday could be a huge boost.

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