Nolan Ryan Puts Young Rangers Pitchers on Trial

Expect Rangers president Nolan Ryan -- who speculatively is believed to be seeking an established pitcher or two in the off season -- to use the remaining weeks of the season to evaluate which if any of the young members of his rotation are capable of remaining with the club.

The most recent results of such evaluations occurred with the demotion of righty Luis Mendoza, who likely will join Scott Feldman, Matt Harrison and Tommy Hunter as candidates for the remaining No. 4 or No. 5 rotation spots next spring. All under 24, they have been prematurely pressed into action to fill voids left by injuries or performance failures, most notably that of No. 1 starter Kevin Millwood.