Nearly every member of the Rangers' rotation had injury issues in 2007. The team must hope the starters stay healthy and some younger pitchers make a bigger impact in 2008.

Age: 33
Exp.: 10 years, 59 days

The lowdown: Scheduled opening day starter for the third consecutive season. ... Was 10-14 with a 5.16 ERA last season, the highest ERA and most losses of his major league career. Opponents batted .301 against him, the highest of his career. ... Strained left hamstring put him on the DL twice in 2007. ...Hit eight batters, matching the most of his career (2002).

Job: No. 1 starter and leader of the Rangers rotation

Growth goal: Get back to his level of 2006, when he won 16 games.

Age: 30
Exp.: 7 years, 105 days

The lowdown: Arm issues bothered him from the start of 2007, and he ended up spending two months on the DL. ... Was 6-10 with a 5.76 ERA, the highest ERA over a full season in his career. ... Has won 14 or more games three times (2002 and 2003 with Philadelphia, 2006 with Texas). ... Has had 10 or more losses five of the last six seasons.

Job: No. 2 starter

Growth goal: Return to the pitcher who won 15 games and pitched 200 innings in 2006.

Age: 29
Exp.: 6 years, 39 days

The lowdown: Jennings signed a one-year deal, hoping to prove he's healthy and ready to return to form after right elbow surgery last year. ... This is his first season in the AL. He was NL Rookie of the Year in 2002 for Colorado when he won 16 games with a 4.52 ERA. ... Went to Mesquite Poteet and Baylor. ... Grandfather, James Jennings, was the PA announcer for the Cowboys.

Job: No. 3 starter

Growth goal: Show he can chew up innings and win consistently.

Age: 24
Exp.: 2 years, 55 days

The lowdown: Texas traded John Danks before 2007 to get McCarthy, who had injury issues (blister on right middle finger, stress fracture in right shoulder blade) and pitched 101 2/3 innings in 22 starts. ... Received two or fewer runs of support in 15 of 22 starts. ... Had one start of more than six innings in 2007. ... Will start the season on the disabled list because of forearm/elbow soreness.

Job: No. 4 starter when he returns from the DL

Growth goal: Stay healthy and show he has staying power in the rotation.

Age: 25
Exp.: 138 days

The lowdown: Joined the Rangers in a trade-deadline deal with Boston for Eric Gagne. Has a history of arm injuries. ... Is 6-0 with a 2.36 ERA in eight career starts at his home park – five of those wins came at Fenway Park. ... Hasn't spent a full season in the big leagues since being drafted in the 29th round in 2000.

Job: No. 4 starter in McCarthy's place

Growth goal: Become a viable, left-handed starter at the back end of the rotation.

Age: 24
Exp.: 26 days

The lowdown: Impressed the Rangers with his pitching late last season and in spring training. ... Was 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 16 innings over six outings (three starts) last season. ... Working on change-up to give him a secondary pitch to go with his sinker. ... Was 15-4 with a 3.93 ERA in 25 starts (148 2/3 innings) for Double-A Frisco in 2007. ... Will start the season on the disabled list because of a blister on his right middle finger.

Job: No. 5 starter when he returns from the DL

Growth goal: Establish a good enough change-up and induce ground balls with his impressive sinker.