Texas Rangers RHP Tyler Mahle and RHP Dane Dunning are expected to rehab Saturday night at Round Rock Express

July 20, 2024 – Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Press Release Round Rock Express

ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Texas Rangers announced Saturday that RHP Tyler Mahle and 2023 World Series Champion RHP Dane Dunning are both expected to make rehab starts Saturday night at Dell Diamond. The two pitchers are scheduled to play in the baseball game against the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (Los Angeles Dodgers) at 7:15 p.m. CT on Saturday night. Mahle is expected to start the game, while Dunning is expected to pitch out of the bullpen.

Mahle opened the season on the injured list after rehabbing from Tommy John ligament replacement surgery performed in May 2023. The 29-year-old is entering the first year of a two-year Major League contract with Texas that he signed this offseason. Mahle spent the first 10 seasons of his professional career with the Cincinnati Reds organization before being traded to Minnesota in August 2022. He made nine starts with the Twins in 2022 and 2023 before requiring Tommy John surgery.

In seven seasons in the Major Leagues, Mahle has a lifetime record of 33-41 with a 4.30 ERA (304 ER/635.2 IP). In 2022, he was named Cincinnati’s Opening Day starter. In 2021, he produced career highs in wins (13), starts (33), quality starts (12), innings pitched (180.0) and strikeouts (210). Mahle was selected in the seventh round by Cincinnati in the 2013 MLB Draft out of Westminster High School in California.

The 29-year-old Dunning was placed on the injured list on July 4 with right shoulder soreness. In 15 games and 12 starts this season, Dunning is 4-7 with a 4.71 ERA (34 ER/65.0 IP). He was named the Rangers 2023 Pitcher of the Year by the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. He has career highs in wins (12), innings pitched (172.2) and strikeouts (140).

Dunning made his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2020 before being traded to the Rangers in December of that year. As of 2021, he leads all Rangers in starts (80) and innings pitched (443.2) this season. Entering this year, he ranked in the top five American League pitchers in both ground ball percentage (3rd, 50.9%) and ground ball double plays induced (4th, 45) as of 2021. The right-handed pitcher was the 29th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida by the Washington Nationals.

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