Rangers are high on Loe as No. 4

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — No. 4 starter Kameron Loe isn’t quite sure how to interpret comments in Texas Rangers camp this spring that he already looks like he’s pitching in the seventh game of the World Series.

“I don’t know if that means I have to tone it down or that my pitches are good enough now to win the seventh game,” Loe said. “You know what? I am getting ready for the seventh game of the World Series. Really, I want to win it in four.”

That would be just fine with pitching coach Mark Connor, who confirmed Friday the first four spots in the rotation will be Kevin Millwood, Adam Eaton, Vicente Padilla and Loe.

“The job is Kam’s to lose at this point,” Connor said. “He’s worked hard in the offseason and looks ready to go. Maybe too ready.”

As a rookie last season, Loe went 9-6 with a 3.42 ERA in 48 games (eight starts) after being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma on May 6.

“Last year was a little confusing because I wasn’t sure if I would be a starter in Triple-A or a reliever in the big leagues,” Loe said. “I think I’m more efficient this spring because I’m just starting. I’ve always been a starter up until last season.”

Loe is looking forward to learning from three veteran starters the Rangers added to the rotation during the offseason.

Millwood signed a $60 million, five-year contract after posting the top ERA in the American League (2.86) in his one year with the Cleveland Indians.

The Rangers traded for Eaton (11-5 in San Diego) and Padilla, a one-time NL All-Star with the Philadelphia Phillies.

“I’m really looking forward to picking Milly’s brain,” Loe said of Millwood. “He was in the same rotation with three potential Hall of Famers in Atlanta (Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine). I’m going to have to figure a way to follow him around without being a tagalong.”

Notes: RHPs Tom Diamond, Josh Rupe, Juan Dominguez and R.A. Dickey and LHP C.J. Wilson “plus one sleeper,” are in the running for the fifth spot in the Rangers’ starting rotation, according to pitching coach Mark Connor. ... The Rangers signed three more players Friday — OF Laynce Nix and RHPs Frank Francisco and Jon Leicester. Nix hit .240 with the Rangers while also spending time in Oklahoma last year. Francisco was a key reliever when the Rangers contended for the AL West title in 2004, but he missed last season with elbow problems. Leicester was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. ... RHP Nick Regilio felt some tenderness near the right arm tendon injury that shut him down midway through last season. He’s expected to have an MRI on Saturday. ... RHP Armando Galarraga and IF Aarom Baldiris, both from Venezuela, have cleared visa problems and were expected in camp Saturday.