Tuesday newsletter time: Darren O’Day, who retired Monday, had quite the Rangers debut

(AP photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Right-hander Darren O’Day, who made an American League All-Star team with Baltimore and later won a World Series with Atlanta, announced his retirement Monday.

For all the good the right-hander did in 15 MLB season (2.59 ERA) with the Angels, Mets, Rangers, Orioles and Braves, he will have a hard time living down his first appearance with the Rangers.

O’Day was a waiver claim April 22, 2009, hopped a flight to Toronto, and arrived after the Rangers’ game at the then-SkyDome had started. The Rangers weren’t expecting to use him.

The equipment staff was hoping O’Day wouldn’t be used. They didn’t have a jersey for him.

Alas, the Rangers scored three in the ninth, with Michael Young tying it with a two-out solo homer, and the game went to extra innings.

C.J. Wilson worked a scoreless 10th, but walked Vernon Wells to start the 11th and he was bunted to second base and soon-to-be Hall of Famer Scott Rolen was intentionally walked.

Manager Ron Washington wanted a right-hander to face Kevin Millar, so in came O’Day … in Kason Gabbard’s. Gabbard, acquired in 2007 from Boston along with David Murphy and Engel Beltre, was in the minors.

O’Day had not met Washington or any of the players who greeted him at the mound. O’Day threw five pitches before allowing the game-winning hit.

That’s some debut.

Speaking of debuts, that was the game when a promising left-hander named Derek Holland made his MLB debut with 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief.

Holland worked out for scouts last week in Southlake. The Rangers were there, as they also watched former Rangers lefty Cole Hamels.

Holland, now 36, wants to give baseball one more try after pitching only in the minors last season.

On the road … again

A.J. Alexy is on his fourth team of the offseason.

The right-hander started with the Rangers and was with them until they needed a 40-man spot for left-hander Andrew Heaney. Washington claimed Alexy on waivers, and he stuck with the Nationals until they needed a roster spot, designated him for assignment and traded him to Minnesota.

The Twins needed a roster spot last week after they acquired pitcher Pablo Lopez from Miami. Now, Alexy is on the Chicago White Sox’s 40-man roster after they claimed him Monday.

The good news is teams like Alexy. The bad news is they don’t like him enough. At some point he’s either going to stick with a team or clear waivers and be outrighted to Triple A.

Alexy was acquired by the Rangers in the Yu Darvish trade in 2017, along with Willie Calhoun and Brandon Davis. He was a candidate for the 2022 rotation, missed out, and struggled at Triple A Round Rock.

A good guy, Alexy hopefully will have a more permanent home soon.

Rangers Today reminders

Things are starting to move a little more at Rangers Today with spring training fast approaching. The first of my two trips to Arizona starts in two weeks, and there will be a lot to do before I’m there, while I’m there and in the days between my two trips. The family is coming for a few days over spring break and I think I have to sign a contract with my wife that I won’t work.

My point is, now is a great time to get full access to this website for $5.99 a month, $35 for six months or $60 for the year. You can subscribe or upgrade your free account here. Our podcast and YouTube page are free, so you should subscribe here. You will find much more than the podcast episodes, and more might be in store this season.

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As always, thanks for your support.

Doggy video!

Me at some point today with the kids home from school. Enjoy.

when it's dads turn to watch the kids
(thegoldengalsct IG) pic.twitter.com/tIlMeMLKvU

— theworldofdog (@theworldofdog) January 22, 2023

Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com