Former Texas Rangers Starter Impresses in Return to Globe Life Field
Spencer Howard, a former Texas Rangers starter, made a spot start for the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, taking the mound at Globe Life Field.
The Rangers were surprised by the Giants’ announcement of Howard as their starting pitcher. Howard, who pitched for Texas from 2021 to 2023 after being traded from the Philadelphia Phillies, displayed the potential the Rangers had hoped to see from him, aiding the Giants in a 3-1 victory.
Facing his former teammates, Howard’s familiarity with the Rangers seemed to work to his advantage. After being traded to the Yankees last July, Howard started the game by walking Marcus Semien and Josh Smith but managed to limit the damage to just one run, which came on a Nathaniel Lowe sacrifice fly. He allowed only three hits and three walks over 4.2 innings, striking out two.
Since being called up in late May, Howard had been effective, with a 2.08 ERA over 8.2 innings in two relief appearances for the Giants. Saturday’s start was his first since facing the Chicago White Sox with the Rangers on August 7, 2022, a game in which he allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits.
Howard’s 2022 season was cut short by injury, ending with a 2-4 record and a 7.41 ERA in 10 games (eight starts). In 2021, he went 0-3 with a 9.70 ERA in eight starts. He began 2023 on the 60-day injured list due to a lat strain, returning for three relief appearances with the Rangers. After a rough outing against Tampa Bay, he was sent to Triple-A Round Rock, later returning in July for two scoreless outings.
The Rangers eventually traded Howard to the Yankees, who released him. The Giants picked him up on a minor league deal last September, and on Saturday, that gamble paid off.
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