SEATTLE – Kumar Rocker’s major league debut is finally here.

His eagerly awaited first appearance was a mixed bag.

Rocker threw four innings for the Texas Rangers in their series opener against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.

For the former college phenomenon and the Rangers’ most promising pitching talent, it was the conclusion of a long career as a professional player.

With his parents watching in the stands, Rocker got off to a rocky start, allowing a single by Victor Robles and a dribble single by Julio Rodriguez on the first pitch of his career.

But he got off unscathed in the first inning, getting strikeouts from Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena and a flyout to the warning track from Luke Raley.

In his debut, he managed seven strikeouts and left Seattle’s batters guessing at times.

Rocker missed the chance to go home with the lead after allowing the first run – and home run – of his career on Justin Turner’s solo hit in the fourth inning.

“I feel like I’ve been trying to find my rhythm all game long, and that’s just part of the moment, that’s part of a new experience,” Rocker said. “And I can’t really let that frustrate me, I can learn from it.”

Rocker was taken out of the game after 74 throws.

He allowed three hits, made two walks and had seven strikeouts.

After being a dominant star in college at Vanderbilt, Rocker was selected 10th overall by the Mets in the 2021 amateur draft, but was not signed due to health reasons.

Texas selected him with the third overall pick in the 2022 draft, and he recovered from Tommy John surgery in May 2023, earning him the promotion that led to his debut Thursday.

Texas general manager Chris Young said it was a “fun weekend” for the Rangers with Rocker’s debut, followed by Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, who are slated to start Friday and Saturday.

“Of course we’ll get Max and Jacob back in the days that follow, and then our top draft pick from a few years ago will also make his debut. Someone who isn’t just debuting in September, but someone who has flown through the minor leagues because of his performance and has now earned the chance to pitch in the major leagues,” Young said.

The 24-year-old Rocker has a 1.96 ERA in 10 games for three different Rangers affiliates since July 5.

In his final two rehab starts for Triple-A Round Rock, he had 18 strikeouts in 10 innings and finished with 47 strikeouts and four walks in 29 ²/₃ innings in a total of seven starts for Double-A Frisco and Round Rock.

“I’m excited. I can say that. The fans should be too. That’s a big part of our future when you look at Kumar and Jack (Leiter) and the young players coming up,” Texas manager Bruce Bochy said.

Rocker’s father, Tracy, is the Tennessee Titans’ defensive line coach. Tracy Rocker left the team after practice on Thursday to fly and be there when his son made his first appearance.

“Forget about being a coach. Now he’s the luckiest parent, you know, one of the luckiest parents in the world,” Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said. “And to see your son throw out the first pitch in a Major League Baseball game, and your son has gone through all that adversity and gone through the minors to get to this point? Man, that’s an amazing feeling.”