Big Game Mere hours after being named to the starting rotation, shipping Neftali Feliz to the weak bullpen, Hunter hurt his groin in a Spring Training game.
He's out six weeks.
So, we have a whole in the rotation. More than likely, Dave Bush or Michael Kirkman will fill the hole.
It's not big deal. Hunter was primed for the rotation a year ago and he hurt himself late in Spring Training and missed the first few weeks of the season. The Rangers will not lose the division because Hunter missed several weeks.
However, this latest injury brings up the issue of Hunter's weight.
He's listed at 6-3 and 280. I assume he slims down some coming into camp. As time wears on, he approaches 280, if not more.
Hunter has always been a big, meaty guy.
His size became an issue when he was first called up when the Texas heat regularly hit 100 degrees during the day and the Ballpark would swelter during night games in the 90s.
Every year its an issue dealing with his stamina in a game. I think it's a bigger issue dealing with injury.
Pitchers put a lot of stress on their bodies. From the feet, legs, midsection, arms and hands, pitching is something humans shouldn't really be doing. We're not fit for it.
Add on layers of fat and weight and that stress is amplified. Generally, fatter pitchers have had shorter shelf lives. Then again, almost all professional athletes do.
Then again, give me a successful fat pitcher and I'll give you a dozen successful skinny pitchers.
I like Hunter and I hope his future is in Texas. He gets outs. However, he does no one good huffing and puffing on the mound and getting hurt every Spring Training. Surely, it can't hurt losing 40 or 50 pounds.
