Lisalverto Bonilla

Bonilla entered spring training with an outside chance to win a spot at the back end of the Texas rotation, but Tommy John surgery in April put a quick end to that idea. He profiled as a possible setup reliever prior to the injury, with 92 strikeouts in 74.2 innings at Triple-A Round Rock back in 2014, but his control against advanced hitting was an issue prior to the injury and figures to be more of an issue in 2016 as he recovers from the surgery. Claimed off waivers by the Dodgers in October, Bonilla is expected to be back around full-strength by the middle of the season.

Bonilla made his big league debut last season and was even used as a starter in three of his five appearances, but do not expect him to be a starter long term. Few teams have had their starting pitching decimated by injuries to the extent that Texas was in 2014, and in situations like that, it is all hands on deck. While Bonilla only gave up four earned runs over 19 innings in his three starts, he also walked 10 batters in those outings. In 39 appearances at Triple-A prior to his call up, only six were as a starter, so the Rangers are aware that his future with the team is as a reliever. That said, the 24-year-old righty has posted strikeout rates above 27.0% in each of the last three seasons in the minors thanks to a plus changeup, and he should thrive in a setup role out of the Rangers’ bullpen at some point in the near future, with the potential to serve as a spot starter if needed.