Overview

• Texas hands the ball to right-hander Merrill Kelly, who has won his past two starts and is 2-1 with a 3.31 ERA in six outings since joining the Rangers.
• Houston has not named a starter for Friday and is weighing a bullpen game as manager Joe Espada emphasizes protecting recently returned pitchers.
• The Rangers placed left-hander Danny Coulombe on the 15-day injured list with shoulder soreness, their ninth IL move in 18 days, and Adolis Garcia is expected to be added with a Grade 2 quadriceps strain.
• Reports indicate projected Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season with right elbow inflammation.
• Houston enters the series leading the AL West by 3.5 games, and Yordan Alvarez logged four hits in Thursday’s 8-4 loss to the Yankees.