Yang could get second start as Arihara injury woes continue

Yang Hyeon-jong [AFP]

After a successful first outing as a spot starter last week, Yang Hyeon-jong could have more opportunities to come over the next few weeks.

The Texas Rangers announced Sunday that starter Kohei Arihara will be placed on the 10-day injured list with a finger injury, potentially opening the door for Yang to again start in Arihara's place.

Yang appeared as a starter for the first time in his MLB career last week, throwing eight strikeouts and giving up one run in three and one third innings.

Yang, who went from taxi squad to reliever to starter in less than two weeks, put on a show against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, becoming only the second player in Rangers history to record eight strikeouts in so few innings. Yang allowed four hits and one run for a 2.25 ERA.

Yang's appearance in that game was due to Airhara's injury. The Japanese player returned to the lineup on Saturday and Yang was shifted back to the bullpen, but his move to the 10-day injured list may mean that Yang gets moved back into the rotation again.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]