The Texas Rangers signed Tyson Ross this offseason knowing he would not be ready for the start of the season due to off season TOS surgery, but hoping that he would be a key part of the rotation at some point early on the season.

Ross has been slowed in his comeback due to back problems, but made his first official rehab appearance this evening for the Round Rock Express. Ross had a decent outing, throwing 5 scoreless innings with 2 hits, 1 walk and 5 strikeouts, although he had some issues with command as the game went on (44 of his 73 pitchers overall were strikes), and reports from those at the game indicated that his velocity flagged in the later innings.

There’s been no definitive return date for Ross targeted, although indications have been that the Rangers want him to make at least two rehab starts before he’s considered for a return to the big leagues. At this point, Nick Martinez would seem to be the likely odd man out once Ross is ready, though that assumes that everyone else in the rotation stays healthy between now and when Ross is activated, which is not the safest of assumptions.