Rangers' Bush Finally Makes The Show

ARLINGTON—Righthander Matt Bush became a big leaguer on May 13, a dozen years after he was the first overall pick in the 2004 draft and just more than four years after he was arrested for a drunken hit-and-run accident that led to three and a half years in prison.

His debut was a perfect inning in which he retired Blue Jays all-stars Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. Two days later, he plunked Bautista and became a focal point in the aftermath of a benches-clearing brawl.

Rangers fans who didn’t know his back story rallied behind him, while those who watched him pitch wanted him to be the team’s closer.

It was a whirlwind five days for Bush, 30, who opened the season at Double-A Frisco.

“I’ve been enjoying every second and just trying to take everything in and learn everything about each day here,” said Bush, who was drafted as a shortstop out his San Diego high school before converting to the mound in 2007. “Upon being called up, everybody’s greeted me extremely well. I feel like I’m part of this team.”

Lost in the May 15 brawl was that Bush picked up his first career win. Through 10 innings he had recorded nine strikeouts and one walk while allowing one run.

The Rangers are keeping close tabs on Bush, a recovering alcoholic, as he adjusts to the major leagues. Either Bush’s father Danny or Roy Silver, a player-development specialist who has known Bush since 2009, will be with Bush on the road.

“The people around him feel like he is well-equipped to handle that,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “From our observations and, more importantly, the people who have been around him who have experience dealing with folks with alcoholism, we feel like he’s doing very well.”

RANGER ROUNDUP

• Frisco outfielder Ryan Cordell had a 37-game streak of reaching base snapped on May 19. The Texas League player of the month for April, Cordell was batting .338 with 10 homers and 35 RBIs at the streak’s end.

• Third baseman Joey Gallo returned from the Triple-A Round Rock disabled list on May 19 after missing nearly three weeks with a strained left groin. The Rangers called him up on May 23 after he went 5-for-16 (.313) with two doubles and a home run in four games.