Texas Rangers leaning towards Andrew Cashner starting Saturday, per Jeff Banister

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Cashner is apparently the leading candidate to make Saturday’s start against the Seattle Mariners, with Jeff Banister saying the team is leaning towards Cashner, per the beat guys on Twitter.

Saturday, April 15, is the first time the Rangers will need a fifth starter, and it had been anticipated that Cashner, who started the season on the disabled list because of biceps tendinitis, would need a rehab start or two before being ready to join the rotation. However, with Nick Martinez being called up to join the bullpen due to Matt Bush’s unavailability, and Dillon Gee being unimpressive in his first start for Round Rock, it appears Cashner could get the nod after all.

Cashner threw 75 pitches in a start at extended spring training on April 10, and would likely be limited to 90 pitches in Seattle on Saturday if he were activated to take that start. Evan Grant suggests on Twitter that Bush, who got an injection for a sore shoulder yesterday, could land on the 10 day d.l. to make room for Cashner.

If Bush doesn’t go to the disabled list, and Cashner is activated, Martinez most likely heads back to AAA.