Alex Gonzalez held Boston hitless through the first five innings in his major league debut leading the Texas Rangers to an 8-0 shutout of the Red Sox today. Gonzalez, aka "Chi Chi", ended his day after 5.2 innings, allowing just two hits and striking out two.

Fantasy Impact

The only blemish, if there was one, on Gonzalez' debut was the five walks he issued. That ran his pitch count up (102 in less than six innings of work) or he would have gone deeper into the game. Gonzalez was the Rangers most impressive pitcher during the spring (I wrote about him often) and he did not disappoint in his major league debut.

Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez tossed five innings of three hit relief today in the Rangers 4-4 tie with the New York Mets in the exhibition season finale for both teams. Gonzalez walked one and struck out eight on the day.

Fantasy Impact

Though he's on his way to Triple-A Round Rock, Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez let manager Jeff Bannister and the rest of the Rangers front office he's ready to come back if needed. With the Rangers rotation in flux, and No. 5 starter Nick Martinez getting roughed up his last outing, Gonzalez may find himself back in Arlington sooner than expected.

With the season-ending injury to ace Yu Darvish opening up an extra spot in the Rangers rotation, a quartet of candidates has emerged to grab the No. 5 position. Of the four - Gonzalez, Nick Tepesch, Nick Martinez, and Anthony Ranaudo, Gonzalez has been the most effective this spring.

Fantasy Impact

A long shot to make the roster, Gonzalez is tied with Tepesch for most innings pitched this spring (13.2) but has been far more effective. He has allowed 11 hits and six runs (3.95 ERA), while walking six and striking out 15. Hitters have posted a pedestrian .216 batting average against Gonzalez. Compare that to Tepesch who has thrown the same amount of innings, yet yielded 19 hits and 13 runs, has walked five and struck out only three. Hitters, meanwhile, are hitting a robust .339 off of Tepesch this spring.