ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers placed left-handed reliever Robert Garcia on the 15-day injured list because of left shoulder inflammation Thursday and called up Peyton Gray, an undrafted 30-year-old right-hander looking for his big league debut.
Gray had a 278-game journey the last eight years through the minor leagues, independent ball and four winters outside the United States before getting his first call-up to the majors.
Garcia last pitched April 16, though the IL move could only be made retroactive to Monday. To make room for Gray on the 40-man roster, minor league catcher Willie MacIver was designated for assignment.
After being in the Rangers' minor league system last season, Gray impressed in spring training this year as a non-roster invite. He had 2.53 ERA in nine appearances with 18 strikeouts and one walk over 10 2/3 innings.
“Being the 30-year-old non-roster invite that doesn’t have any big league time, I don’t think they expected me to put up as many zeroes and throw as many strikes as I did,” Gray said in the Rangers clubhouse before a series finale against Pittsburgh. “So I think I surprised them. I might have surprised myself a little bit too.”
Gray, who said he was just happy to still have a job pitching after spring training, began this season at Triple-A Round Rock. He threw 12 1/3 scoreless innings over seven games, going 1-0 with two saves, 15 strikeouts and two walks.
“What a story this is going to be when he gets on the mound. The journey is from minor leagues to independent ball to international, the whole deal. It’s an incredible story and earned,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “I mean, it’s not just because we need a pitcher. Like he’s earned this, and I think that’s what sticks out the most. Dominated in spring training, dominated in Triple-A so far.”
After pitching at Florida Gulf Coast University, Gray's professional debut was a short season with the Colorado Rockies' affiliate in the Northwest League in 2018, and he stayed in their organization in 2019.
He spent 2021 in the Kansas City Royals' organization, that between different seasons for the Milwaukee Milkmen in the independent American Association. He pitched in the Dominican last winter, after the previous three winters in the Mexican Pacific League.
Garcia is 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA over his nine games for the Rangers this season. An MRI showed no structural damage and Garcia had an injection in his shoulder, but hadn't pitched in a week when the Rangers made the IL move.
“We were kind of just waiting for it to turn. It just did not. So you can’t be a man short for too much longer,” Schumaker said.
“Now we’re just letting everything set in and let it take its course and give it some time. And then obviously day by day treatment and stuff like that as much as we can do,” Garcia said. “You have to be smart. It is April, and I know how much value I hold in the bullpen. And I don’t want to let this linger for five more months.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Texas Rangers pitcher Robert Garcia throws to an Athletics batter during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 16, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
AVONDALE, La. (AP) — Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his RBC Heritage victory, teamed with younger brother Alex to shoot an 8-under 64 in better-ball play Thursday in the Zurich Classic, leaving the English duo six shots behind Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer.
Smalley and Springers matched the tournament record with a 58.
Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, who comprise the most accomplished team at the par-72 TPC Louisiana this week, shot a 66 to leave them outside the top 40 and in danger of missing the cut — unless they can make a strong push Friday in alternate-shot play.
The format returns to better ball Saturday, and back to alternate shot Sunday.
Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat were a shot behind after a round in which they followed Eckroat's eagle on the par-5 seventh with eight straight birdies.
Three teams were tied for third at 60: Sam Stevens and Zach Bouchou, along with Eric Cole and Hank Lebioda, and Nick Dunlap and Gordon Sargent.
Billy Horschel — the only player to win the Zurich in both single-play and team formats — was again in the hunt when after he and Tom Hoge shot a 61 — highlighted by Hoge's eagle on No. 2 — to put them in a seven-way tie for sixth.
Aaron Rai and Sahith Theegala each made eagles — Rai by spinning in a 106-yard approach shot on the par-4 13th — and posted a 62.
Defending Zurich champs Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak shot a bogey-free 65 and will need to move up some to make the cut.
Smalley, who has never won on the PGA Tour, made a 19-foot eagle put on the par-5 second hold after sinking a 16 1/2-footer to bridie No. 1. His tee shot on No. 3 landed within 7 feet to set up another birdie to put his team at 4 under.
The pair of 29-year-old Americans then combined to birdie 10 of their final 14 holes. Springer, also seeking a maiden tour triumph, accounted for the final four birdies, highlighted by his 36-foot putt on the par-3 17th.
A large gallery gathered at the first hole to watch the Fitzpatricks tee off in the same group with Lowry and Koepka on a sunny, breezy, 80-degree afternoon.
Koepka — in his first season back on the PGA Tour after four years with LIV Golf — entered the week needing a good showing to earn his first exemption for a signature event, the next of which takes place next week at Trump National Doral in Miami.
Lowry carried their team early, with birdies on five of the first eight holes. Koepka finally pitched in with a 31 1/2-foot birdie putt on 10, but the pair did not better that par the rest of the way.
The Fitzpatricks, playing together a fourth straight year in New Orleans, got to 9-under with Matt Fitzpatrick's three straight bridies on the 15th through 17th holes. But then both hit their second shots in the water on the par-5 18th and closed with a bogey.
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Shane Lowry, left, of Ireland, talks with Brooks Koepka after teeing off on the first hole during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Avondale, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Matt Fitzpatrick, of England, tees off on the first hole during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Avondale, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Brooks Koepka and Matt Fitzpatrick, of England, talk before teeing off on the first hole during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Avondale, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
