OAKLAND -- Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said the team will "talk" about how it will fill Yu Darvish's spot in the rotation. Cesar Ramos certainly gave Texas something to talk about in a 14-5 loss to the Athletics on Monday night.
Ramos was pitching for the first time since June 4 and starting for the first time since May 21. It was clear that he wasn't sharp, as he allowed eight runs -- six earned -- in 3 2/3 innings.
"We've got a lot to talk about, yes," manager Jeff Banister said.
Ramos refused to say that his long layoff played a part in his short night.
"None," Ramos said. "None at all. I fell behind a couple of times, got a lot of ground balls, but unfortunately, they weren't at guys. That's baseball."
Ramos faced 22 batters, and 14 reached base on eight hits, five walks and one costly error. The Rangers were able to turn three double plays behind him, which helped limit the damage to a degree, but third baseman Jurickson Profar's inability to handle an inning-ending double-play grounder also cost them four runs in the third.
Still, it was a rough night for Ramos, whose official role is spot starter and long reliever. The Rangers haven't had much need for a long reliever lately, and this was his fourth start. He was 1-1 with a 2.76 ERA in his three previous outings, which gave the Rangers hope that he could handle this assignment.
"Obviously, not the night Cesar wanted to have," Banister said. "Five walks, falling behind. It's a challenge to pitch falling behind. He wanted to give us some innings, and it didn't work out like he wanted."
Ramos didn't even know he was starting until after Sunday's win in Seattle, but he said he had enough time to prepare. The Rangers scratched Darvish because of discomfort in his right shoulder, and then put him on the disabled list before the game, retroactive to Thursday.
Darvish is eligible to come off the DL on June 24, although the Rangers have not established a timetable for his return. If that date holds, the Rangers would need a fifth starter only one more time, on Saturday against the Cardinals, because they are off on June 23.
The Rangers have veteran right-hander Kyle Lohse at Triple-A Round Rock, although he is not on the 40-man roster. Lohse also pitched on Monday, giving up five runs (two earned) in six innings in Round Rock's 6-0 loss to New Orleans. Lohse, signed to a Minor League contract in May, is 2-3 with a 5.35 ERA in six starts.
Right-handers Chi Chi Gonzalez (3-5, 5.02 ERA) and Nick Martinez (6-4, 4.50 ERA) are also Triple-A options because they are on the 40-man roster.
A.J. Griffin, who is 3-0 with a 2.94 ERA in six starts, is on the DL with inflammation in his right shoulder and has made just one start during his rehab assignment. He is down for two or three more outings before being considered an option for the Major League rotation.
The Rangers are hoping Darvish won't be out long, but they still need to talk about what they are going to do until he returns.