Rangers' Martin Perez: Opens as No. 3 starter

Perez will open the season as the No. 3 starter for the Rangers, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Perez had a short spring due to competing with Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic but finished exhibition play with three earned runs and seven strikeouts over 9.2 innings. The 25-year-old started 33 games for the Rangers in 2016, and although he ate up 198.2 innings, he posted a 4.39 ERA and surrendered 18 long balls. The left-hander sports a low-90s fastball to go along with a slider, curveball and changeup, but his success largely depends on his ability to induce groundballs, which he's done at a rate of 52 percent or better in his last three MLB seasons.