Rangers place Cole Hamels on 10-day DL

The Rangers announced left-handed starter Cole Hamels has been placed on the 10-day DL and is expected to miss eight weeks with a strained oblique.

Hamels was scheduled to start Tuesday night’s game against the division-rival Astros, but he injured himself while warming up before the game and was scratched in favor of Alex Claudio. The Rangers ended up losing the game 8-7.

It’s a huge loss for the Rangers. While Yu Darvish is the team’s unquestioned ace, Hamels is a legit top-of-the-rotation starter, even at 33 years old. Through five starts this season, Hamels is 2-0 with a 3.03 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Something has seemed a bit off, however, as Hamels’ strikeout numbers are way down. He’s punched out just 15 batters through 32.2 innings. Hamels has a career 8.6 K/9 mark, but is sitting at a putrid 4.1 through one month, while his velocity is also down.

To take Hamels’ roster spot, the Rangers have promoted right-hander Anthony Bass from Triple-A Round Rock. With A.J. Griffin expected to come off the DL on Thursday, he should slot into the five-man rotation in Hamels’ absence. Hamels’ six-year streak of throwing at least 200 innings has likely come to an end.