The Sunday Read: Two starters-turned-relievers behind Rangers’ bullpen success

 (AP photo/Reed Hoffmann)

ARLINGTON — Cole Ragans wasn’t selected in the first round of the 2016 draft to be a relief pitcher.

Dane Dunning wasn’t acquired late in 2020 from the White Sox to be in the bullpen.

Yet, that’s where they’ve been since the start of this Rangers season.

And they’ve been great.

The right-handed Dunning and the left-handed Ragans are making rotation-to-bullpen transition look seamless, and that might come as a surprise to some.

But it shouldn’t based on their spring performances, manager Bruce Bochy said, and don’t be surprised to see them pitching in different situations going forward.