Though I believe Jennings has made himself available for back to back appearances since the end of april/early May, Evan Grant notes a new limitation on his use that has emerged as he adapts to the new role. If Harrison, Padz and/or BMac continue to have health issues, it might make more sense to stretch Jennings out on a fake DL assignment rather than leave him in the pen. Per EG:
"Most significant thing to come from manager’s pre-game gathering is that the Rangers will attempt to use RHP Jason Jennings only to start an inning. On Friday, the Rangers planned to send Vicente Padilla back out for the sixth with 108 pitches, but after second thought, they called the bullpen a second time and told Jennings to be ready to start the inning.
The Rangers and Jennings, who is converting from starting this season, believe “clean” situations are better for him. Though Jennings has a 1.95 ERA for the nine times he’s entered once an inning has already started, he has allowed five of 10 inherited runners to score. Jennings has started an inning in three of his last four outings and allowed a pair of runs in seven innings.
“It’s just a different mind set,” Jennings said. “When you come in with a man on base, your immediate need is to punch a guy out or make him hit the ball weakly on the ground. That’s never been my mindset. My mindset has been to establish the fastball, which is what I did as a starter. Coming in during an inning is the one thing I’ve really struggled with in the bullpen. I’ve just had never had that thought to go out there and strike guys out immediately.”
This update on Smoak from Tony Andro:
"Assistant GM Thad Levine cgave me the update on the Frisco first baseman, who has been sidelined by an oblique. Levine said the Rangers are being cautious with Smoak. If he continues to progress, he could return to action in seven to 10 days."
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