Patrick Corbin DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Although he picked up the loss in a 2-1 game in Friday's series opener against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, Texas Rangers left-hander Patrick Corbin continued to pitch well by giving up just two runs on three hits while walking four and striking out three in seven innings for a quality start. Corbin has been excellent in his last five starts, giving up no more than two runs in any of his starts while posting a 2.60 ERA and striking out 20 with 10 walks in 27 2/3 innings. The 35-year-old was outdueled by last year's American League Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal, who had a perfect game going into the sixth frame. Although Corbin has been pitching well, Friday was only the first time he's gone seven innings, and it was his first quality start of the season. Overall, he has a 3.15 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB in 31 2/3 frames. Corbin's lack of swing-and-miss stuff makes him volatile on a start-to-start basis.

The Texas Rangers have placed starting pitching prospect Jack Leiter (finger) on the 15-day injured list due to a blister. In a corresponding move, the Rangers promoted veteran left-handed pitcher Patrick Corbin from Triple-A Round Rock. Leiter was able to earn a spot in the starting rotation out of camp. After struggling during his first taste of the big leagues last summer, Leiter was able to start turning the corner in 2025. Across his first two outings, the former second overall pick logged 10 innings of one-run ball. He allowed six hits and held a stellar 1:10 BB:K. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Leiter on an injured reserve spot on their roster as Leiter should rejoin the rotation once cleared to return. Corbin will likely earn a temporary spot in the rotation but should not be targeted in any formats as he held a high 5.62 ERA across 174 2/3 innings last season.

The Texas Rangers have optioned left-handed pitcher Patrick Corbin to Triple-A Round Rock. The Rangers signed Corbin to a one-year contract earlier in March. However, the team will opt for Corbin to begin his 2025 campaign in the minor leagues. This transaction will likely allow Corbin to increase his workload before returning to the big leagues. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should monitor his progression in Triple-A as he will likely make a few starts before being in contention to return to the majors. Last season, the southpaw logged 174 2/3 innings with Washington and held a high 5.62 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He tallied just 139 punchouts and held a modest 7.1 percent walk rate. If Corbin were to progress well at Triple-A, he could eventually serve as a depth option in the rotation if Jack Leiter or Kumar Rocker were to struggle.