Texas Rangers Recall Round Rock Express RHP Demarcus Evans

TACOMA, Washington – The Texas Rangers have recalled Round Rock Express RHP Demarcus Evans and LHP Wes Benjamin, the club announced on Tuesday afternoon. In addition, C John Hicks has been added to the Rangers Taxi Squad and INF Jake Hoover was re-assigned to the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders to complete a busy day of transactions.

Evans has appeared in five games for the E-Train, all in relief, posting a 1-0 record to go along with a 2.35 ERA (2 ER/7.2 IP) and a miniscule .172 opponent batting average. The righty currently leads all Round Rock relievers with 16 strikeouts on the season, compared to just four walks.

He earned his first win of the year back on May 17 against the Sugar Land Skeeters (Houston Astros affiliate) at Dell Diamond after holding the in-state rivals scoreless on just two walks while striking out five in 2.0 innings. Evans heads to The Show riding a season-long 5.1-inning scoreless streak dating back to May 9. He has allowed just one base hit and four walks during the hot stretch.

The Petal, Mississippi native is returning to the Rangers for the second straight season after making his Major League debut in 2020. Evans posted four relief appearances in Arlington a year ago, compiling a 2.25 ERA (1 ER/4.0 IP) with four strikeouts and a walk. In his six-year Minor League career, the 24-year-old owns a 14-11 record with a 2.52 ERA (70 ER/250.0 IP), 385 strikeouts and 153 walks. Opponents are hitting just .173 against Evans through his first 130 professional games, including 26 starts. He is currently ranked as the Rangers’ #27 prospect by MLB.com.

Benjamin is heading back to the Rangers after making a spot start for the club on May 14 at Houston, where he allowed three runs on three hits in 1.2 innings. The lefty is 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA (6 ER/7.1 IP) in four games, including a start, for the Rangers this season after beginning the 2021 campaign on the club’s Opening Day roster. During his time in Round Rock, Benjamin is 1-1 with a 6.14 ERA (5 ER/7.1 IP) in two games, both starts. Evans and Benjamin are expected to be in uniform tonight as the Rangers open a quick two-game road series against the Los Angeles Angels at 8:38 p.m.

Hicks is also heading west as part of the Texas Rangers Taxi Squad for the team’s six-game roadtrip against the Angels and Seattle Mariners. This marks Hicks’ first time on the team’s Taxi Squad this season. In 10 games with the Express, the backstop is hitting a red-hot .316 (12-38) with four doubles, a home run, six RBI and seven runs scored.

Finally, Hoover is expected to join Frisco tonight in Midland as the RoughRiders open a six-game series against the RockHounds. In limited action with the Express, Hoover went 2-9 with four punchouts in three games, all starts at second base.

Meanwhile, the Express close out their current six-game road series against the Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners affiliate) tonight at Cheney Stadium. Round Rock RHP Jharel Cotton (1-0, 5.06) is slated to get the start up against Tacoma LHP David Huff, who is set to make his season debut. First pitch in Tacoma is set for 8:05 p.m. CT.

The Round Rock Express return home from their 12-game roadtrip on Thursday, June 3 to open a six-game series against the El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres affiliate). Single game tickets as well as full season and mini season membership plans are on sale now. For more information about the Express, visit RRExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Subscribe to the E-Train email newsletter and keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!