SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) -Jason Jennings’ enthusiasm for coming home cut through a rainy day at Texas Rangers camp Friday.
“This is the team I grew up watching in the old days,” Jennings said. “Nolan Ryan, Charlie Hough, Pete O’Brien – the names go on and on. To have a chance to put on that uniform, it’s an honor.”
Jennings, the former first-round pick and 2002 NL Rookie of the Year in Colorado, is a son of Texas. The Dallas native went to Baylor for college and lives in Frisco, a suburb north of Dallas. So when the Houston Astros declined to offer Jennings salary arbitration after last season, the choice was clear.
“It wasn’t a hard decision at all,” said Jennings, who signed a $4 million, one-year contract last month. “I’ve got two little (children) at home.”
Elbow problems forced Jennings to miss three months of last season, when he was 2-9 with a career-worst 6.45 ERA in 19 starts for the Astros. After two months on the disabled list early in the year with right elbow tendinitis, he didn’t pitch after Aug. 20 and had surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon.
That was not the Jennings that Texas manager Ron Washington was accustomed to seeing.
“He’s known for his sinker,” Washington said. “It’s supposed to be turbo. He had that turbo sinker when we faced him. We just need him to stay healthy and give us a chance.”
Jennings, 60-65 with a 4.91 ERA in 175 career appearances, certainly will not be bothered by pitching in a hitters’ park such as Rangers Ballpark. Not after five seasons at Coors Field and another in Houston’s Minute Maid Park.
“Once I got my feet wet in Denver I just went out and pitched,” Jennings said. “I realized there are no crazier things than what happens in Coors Field.”
Notes: RF Milton Bradley, recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, sat out some fielding drills early Friday. The move was precautionary. “It was wet,” Washington said. “All we need is for him to slip. We don’t need that.” … Washington said RHP Robinson Tejeda, who walked 60 batters in 95 1-3 innings last season, has shown better control in his bullpen sessions. Tejeda is making the transition from starter to reliever.
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