Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker provided an encouraging update on Cal Quantrill after the right-hander battled through back tightness during Sunday’s 7-6 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Quantrill began feeling the issue during the later stages of his outing, but Schumaker kept him on a batter-to-batter and inning-to-inning basis. The right-hander ultimately completed six innings before turning the game over to the Rangers’ bullpen.
Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reported Schumaker’s postgame comments on X.
Quantrill allowed two earned runs on five hits while striking out four and walking none over 70 pitches. The strong outing improved his record to 9-5 and kept Texas within one game of the Houston Astros in the AL West.
The Rangers have relied heavily on Quantrill since Nathan Eovaldi went down with an elbow injury. Through 108.2 innings this season, Quantrill owns a 2.89 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 81 strikeouts with 24 walks.
Despite the back tightness, Quantrill does not appear concerned about missing his next turn. He said he plans to make his scheduled start against the Toronto Blue Jays “no matter what.”
That commitment could be important for Texas with the regular season entering its final stretch. The Rangers improved to 74-76 with Sunday’s win and remain one game behind Houston, while the Seattle Mariners sit five games back.
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For now, Schumaker and the Rangers will monitor Quantrill between starts. If the back responds well, Texas should have its veteran right-hander available for another important outing as it tries to stay in the AL West race.
Quantrill’s ability to take his next turn would give the Rangers another boost as they try to make up ground on Houston.
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