ARLINGTON — The idea of Kumar Rocker, with his hard fastball/slider combo, as a potential closer may be intriguing.

There is just one issue with this: The Texas Rangers are definitely not considering it, President of baseball operations Chris Young, the one person with the absolute authority to make that decision, said Monday.

Without speaking in absolutes, Young gave every indication that weekend reports of the Rangers considering Rocker as a closer were false.

The Dallas Morning News first reported that Rocker, along with Cody Bradford or Jon Gray, could be used in some relief situations , if needed, as emergency re-enforcements, after they returned. Over the weekend, USA Today reported the Rangers were contemplating Rocker as closer.

“We see him as an MLB starter in the short- and long-term,” Young told the Morning News Monday. “Is there a way we need him in some capacity in the bullpen? Perhaps, but that is neither the focus nor the plan. We’ve not talked about it.”

Bochy acknowledged the bullpen could be a possibility “as an option, if there is a need; we will stay flexible,” but said there had been zero discussion about transitioning Rocker to long-term relief or closing.

The bottom line: The season’s needs can require adjustment on the fly but there is no thought to a significant role change for Rocker.

Rocker is scheduled to make his second rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday. He is scheduled to pitch four innings in that game. Of the trio of injured starters, Rocker is the closest to returning.

The timing could coincide with a pinch in the bullpen that could allow the Rangers to bring him back more quickly for some short relief roles, if the bullpen continues to be an issue.

On Monday, manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged that he was “backing off” Luke Jackson as the primary closer. Jackson had pitched in middle-relief roles over the weekend after several rough outings in the bullpen.

Last week, Young told The News of the Rangers potentially using Rocker, Gray or Bradford in a temporary relief role.

“We’re looking to win. We have to consider all of our best arms,” he said.

Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Evan has covered the Rangers since 1997. He has twice been named one of the top 10 beat writers in the country by the AP Sports Editors. His passions outside of covering baseball are his wife, Gina, his two step kids, two crazy dogs & barbecue. Let's not discuss the cat. Evan graduated from Georgia State University, but oddly is a Georgia fan.