Cal Quantrill (back) expects to start on Saturday

It’s merely a paperwork move to free up a spot on Texas’ 40-man roster. Quantrill is done for the season, and postseason as well, after hitting the injured list with lat tightness over the weekend. The 31-year-old righty was an unexpected revelation for the Rangers this season, posting a strong 2.86 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 81/25 K/BB ratio across 110 innings as a versatile swingman. There’s a good chance that this run earns him another opportunity at the highest level next year.

The issue cropped up for Quantrill during Saturday’s start against the Blue Jays. It’s not expected to be a long-term concern, but Quantrill wasn’t going to be able to make his next start so the Rangers will swap him out for an extra bullpen arm. Winston Santos was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move.

Jordan Montgomery replaced him in the second inning against the Blue Jays. Quantrill is set to undergo an MRI on Sunday. If he can’t start next week, Nathan Eovaldi could go in his spot.

No word yet, but it’s quite possible his back was acting up again. He dealt with tightness and came out after 709 pitches last weekend against the D-backs. Quantrill retired all four batters he faced before being replaced by Jordan Montgomery.

Quantrill threw just 70 pitches to get 18 outs and likely would have kept going if not for the back issue. He said after the game that he expects to make his next start against the Jays. One of this season’s biggest surprises, he’s now 9-5 with a 2.90 ERA. It’s safe to say he won’t have to settle for a minor league deal again this winter.

Quantrill had gotten through three scoreless innings until Lazaro Montes tagged him for a three-run blast in the fourth. He’d recover with two more scoreless innings, ending his day after six with a quality start and in line for the win while collecting four strikeouts. The 31-year-old right-hander will take a 2.89 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 77/25 K/BB ratio across 102 2/3 innings into a start against the Diamondbacks in Arizona on Sunday.

The Rangers are pushing Cody Bradford back an extra day to take the ball against Seattle on Wednesday instead. It doesn’t appear to be an injury-related situation. Quantrill has been an unexpected revelation for Texas, posting a surreal 2.79 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 73/24 K/BB ratio across 96 2/3 innings this season. It’s hard to argue against his streaming appeal against a Seattle lineup that has consistently struggled to score runs this season.

Quantrill struck out five batters in the ballgame while issuing a pair of free passes. He retired the first eight hitters to start the game in order, then allowed a pair of two-out singles to Nick Fortes and Yandy Díaz with two outs in the third inning. Those were the only hits he’d surrender. The 31-year-old righty got nine whiffs on 95 offerings, posting a CSW of 25 percent. He now boasts a 7-5 record, 2.79 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and a 73/24 K/BB ratio over 96 2/3 innings in 29 appearances (12 starts) on the season. He’ll try to keep the magic going as he takes on the Mariners in Seattle on Wednesday.

Quantrill gave up four hits, walked none and struck out eight. He fell to 6-5 with the loss. Quantrill has been excellent in August with a 1.45 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 31 innings over four starts and one relief appearance. He has a 3.01 ERA on the season. Quantrill is lined up to face the Rays at home next week.

Quantrill has pitched 13 scoreless innings in his last two starts and is now an impressive 6-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 10 starts and 17 relief appearances this season. He was 16-30 with a 5.39 ERA over the previous three years. Quantrill will likely start in Milwaukee next weekend.