sTarTing piTchErs
RH Collin Balester (6-5, 200, 26) — Lanky pitcher has 185 career big-league innings after stints with the Nationals and Tigers. The No. 2 prospect in the Washington farm system eight seasons ago, he will be shifting from the bullpen to the starting rotation. RHJustin Grimm (6-4, 198,
24) — In the running for the fifth spot in Texas’rotation but lost out to Nick Tepesch. Since college, Grimm has added a changeup and a slider to go with his fastball and curveball. Solid in Double-A (9-3, 1.72 ERA) last season, he was 2-3 with a 4.59 ERA for Round Rock. RHJosh Lindblom (6-4, 240, 25) —Former Purdue standout will transition to a starter’s role after pitching more than 100 innings with the Dodgers and Phillies over the past two seasons. A part of the Michael Young trade, Lindblom will be the fifth starter for the Express. LH Brad Mills (6-0,185, 28) — Claimed off waivers from the Angels on March 24 before the Rangers assigned him to Round Rock. Mills was a PCL All-Star with Las Vegas in 2011, when he finished with an 11-9 record and 4.00 ERA. He’ll be the No. 2 starter for the Express, behind Grimm. RH NickTepesch (6-4, 225, 24)— May be in Round Rock only on opening day. He’ll be the Rangers’fifth starter after going 6-3 with a 4.28 ERA for Double-A Frisco last year. As a tuneup before his first Rangers start, he’ll pitch Thursday night at Dell Diamond. RH RandyWells (6-5, 230, 30) — A former catcher who also was in the running for the fifth spot in the Rangers’ rotation, Wells’ progress has been slowed by elbow surgery last summer. He should be a dependable starter for the Express after making 82 starts for the Chicago Cubs from 2009-11.