“This is why he’s here,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy would say later Thursday after a 5-4 comeback win over Seattle in Rocker’s debut. “I don’t think we had to learn anything. I think we knew he was ready. It was something we thought he could handle. This was a great start for him, especially how he handled himself in the first inning.”

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy kept it real about minor league pitcher Kumar Rocker amid the team’s hunt for a Wild Card spot. “I’m a little shocked at how well he’s come back from this surgery,” Bochy said via Abby Jones of DLLS Sports.

Former Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker was electric in his MLB debut for the Texas Rangers. Here's a recap of his special night:

Kumar Rocker's debut in the majors finally arrived Thursday night, throwing four innings in the Texas Rangers' 5-4 win over the Seattle Mariners. It was the conclusion of a lengthy journey through the pro game for the one-time college phenom and the top pitching prospect in the Rangers organization.

Kumar Rocker's debut in the majors finally arrived. It was a mixed bag for his highly anticipated first outing. Rocker threw four innings for the Texas Rangers on Thursday night in their series opener against the Seattle Mariners.

Yahoo Sports senior MLB analysts Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman look at the Texas hurler's early impact on the Rangers and why he's already showing signs of being a franchise cornerstone for years to come.