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Michael Kirkman, one of just three lefthanded relievers that the Texas Rangers have in camp this spring, is going to be sidelined for a few days to a week due to shoulder soreness, according to the beat guys on Twitter.
Kirkman, 28, is in camp on a minor league deal. He has a 4.98 ERA in 106.2 IP in the majors, all of them as a reliever, although some adjustments made last season while in AAA Round Rock are believed to have improved Kirkman's command, and made him a more viable option as a potential lefty specialist.
The other two lefty relievers in camp are Alex Claudio and Martire Garcia -- Claudio has 12 major league innings pitched, and Garcia has never pitched in the majors, so the Rangers will likely be spending the spring watching the waiver wire and checking out potential free agents, such as former Tiger reliever Phil Coke. In addition, Ross Detwiler would likely end up in the pen if he gets beat out for the #5 starter spot.
