Fister (1-2) got his second loss of the season against the Angels on Monday, giving up three earned runs on six hits, striking out five and walking none in an 8-3 loss for the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Fister was able to limit the damage to the three earned runs but it wasn't enough to put him in line for a win as the Angels ended up tagging the Rangers' bullpen for five runs in the defeat. Fister has a 1.61 WHIP and opponents are hitting .309 off him so far this year, so he wouldn't become a viable streaming option until he shows some signs of improving on those numbers.

Fister (1-1) allowed five runs (two earned) on seven hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out five over 3.2 innings in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Fister was done after 85 pitches (49 strikes) as a combination of factors, including his inability to throw strikes, the location of his sinker and shoddy defense, forced him out early. "He seemed to fight his delivery a little and was in and out of his rhythm," Rangers manager Jeff Banister Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. "The ball-strike ratio didn't seem like it was there." Fister lives and dies with his sinker, so it's imperative for the defense behind him to make plays, and he can't be putting extra men on base when the sinker isn't producing infield grounders. After two starts for Fister, it's been one good game, one bad game. His next start comes Monday at home against the Angels.

Fister (1-0) got the win, giving up one earned run on four hits over five innings while striking out three and walking three in the Rangers' 5-1 victory over the Astros on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Fister outdueled Dallas Keuchel to pick up the victory on Friday in his first start as a Ranger after signing a one-year deal in the offseason. It was an impressive debut for the veteran but Fister has seldom been more than an average major-league pitcher throughout his career and he had a 4.88 ERA in 90.1 innings for the Red Sox after he was claimed off waivers by Boston last season. If he can string a few more starts like Friday's together, he could be worth a look as a back-end starter but it's probably best to take wait and see approach before taking a flyer on him.

Fister is scheduled to pitch the second game of the season, March 30, at home against the Astros, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fister will follow No. 1 starter Cole Hamels in the rotation to start the season. That was a spot tentatively reserved for Martin Perez, who will open the season on the disabled list to finish off his recovery from an injury to his non-throwing left elbow. In three Cactus League starts, Fister allowed seven runs on 15 hits and one walk over 10.1 innings. It's all about the sinker for Fister. He can go on impressive streaks when he's down in the zone, but the inconsistency gets him into trouble.

Fister allowed three hits without a walk and struck out one over five scoreless innings in Thursday's game against Milwaukee.

EDGE Analysis

Fister has not allowed a run in eight Cactus League innings, a sign that his sinker his is working this spring. "If I'm in the air, I'm screwed and that's not to put it lightly," Fister told Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. "I've got to keep it on the ground, it doesn't stay in the park too often. It's something I really have to focus on and emphasize to make sure I make a quality pitch and keep the ball down in the zone." The 34-year-old got seven of his 15 outs on grounders.

Rangers manager Jeff Banister said Monday that while he intends to use a six-man rotation this season, Fister, Cole Hamels and Matt Moore will remain on normal pitching schedules in 2018, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Banister didn't say so explicitly, Martin Perez (elbow) is also expected to receive his usual four days of rest between starts once he's healthy, meaning that back-end rotation candidates Mike Minor, Matt Bush and Bartolo Colon would be more affected by the six-man setup. Assuming Banister sticks to his word, Fister can generally be expected to take the hill once every five or six days, which would put him on track for 30-plus starts if he's able to avoid the disabled list in 2018.

Fister allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two over three scoreless innings Sunday against the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

The quick-working Fister knocked off the offseason rust splendidly in his first spring start. The 34-year-old allowed a baserunner in each inning, but shut down any threat immediately. He's expected to be part of the Rangers' rotation that opens the season.

Fister will make his first Cactus League start Sunday, Dave Sessions of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fister had an uneven run for Boston in 2017, posting a career-low 4.88 ERA while experiencing a late-career boost in strikeouts. The Rangers snapped him up early in the offseason, and he's expected to be part of the team's rotation.

Fister agreed to a major-league deal with the Rangers on Sunday, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fister's signing is still pending a physical, but it currently appears that the 33-year-old is on his way to Arlington. Fister posted a 4.88 ERA (3.98 FIP) last season over 90.1 innings (15 starts) and drastically increased his strikeout rate from 14.8 percent in 2016 to a career-high 21.2 percent clip in 2017. The righty will be a key component in the Rangers' 2018 rotation that is sorely in need of some more reliable starting options.

Fister will take the mound for Game 3 of the ALDS against the Astros on Sunday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager John Farrell confirmed that Fister will take the mound for Game 3 once the series shifts to Boston. This likely leaves Rick Porcello for Game 4 on Monday, or Chris Sale on short rest, if the series extends beyond three games. Following a good stretch near the end of August, Fister has struggled mightily over his last four outings, posting a 9.18 ERA and 1.86 WHIP during 16.2 innings of work.