Tanner Scheppers to rehab with RoughRiders
FRISCO, TEXAS (AUGUST 11, 2015) - The Texas Rangers announced today that pitcher Tanner Scheppers will begin a medical rehab assignment with the Frisco RoughRiders. The Rangers placed Scheppers on the 15-day disabled list with left knee inflammation on August 2.
Additionally, the following roster moves were made:
- LHP Andrew Faulkner & C Pat Cantwell to Triple-A Round Rock
- RHP Keone Kela from Frisco to Texas Rangers
- RHP Jose Valdespina & C Kellin Deglan to Frisco from Advanced-A High Desert
- RHP Robeto Coello signed & assigned to Frisco
- RHP Lendy Castillo released
- RHP Jose Monegro to Advanced-A High Desert from Frisco
- RHP Jesus Pirela to Frisco from Triple-A Round Rock
- LHP Edwar Cabrera activated off seven day DL
For tickets to see the Riders on their current six-game homestand, call 972-731-9200, E-mail [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.
Scheppers, 28, has gone 4-1 with a 5.66 ERA over 38 relief appearances for the Rangers this season. He made his professional debut with the Riders in 2010 and appeared in three games with Frisco this season and twice in 2014. He was the Rangers' Opening Day starting pitcher in 2014. In 2013, the right-hander tied the franchise record for holds and had the fifth most appearances ever for a Ranger.
Cantwell, 23, caught 55 games for the RoughRiders this season. The four-year pro owns a career .243 batting average and doubled his career home run total with three this season to give him six professional homers. On June 24, Cantwell collected a career-high five RBI against Midland, a game in which he belted his first career grand slam. Baseball America tabbed the New York native as the best defensive catcher in the Texas farm system. In 136 games with Frisco over two seasons, Cantwell batted .234 with 18 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 52 RBI.
Faulkner, 22, began the season in Frisco's starting rotation, starting 15 games before a shift to the bullpen on July 10. This season he is 7-4 with a 4.19 ERA, 90 strikeouts and 47 walks in 92.1 innings. The left-hander allowed one run and three hits, and struck out 15 in 13 2/3 innings since becoming a reliever. Faulkner held opponents to a .067 batting average since the transition into a full-time reliever. The five-year professional is 30-21 with a 3.50 ERA in 118 career appearances. In 35 games (21 starts) as a RoughRider over two seasons, the South Carolina native was 9-8 with a 4.39 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 123 innings.
Valdespina, 23, went 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 25 relief appearances for the Mavericks. The Dominican Republic native is 12-13 with a 3.96 ERA in 111 career appearances. The right-hander owns 16 career saves, nine of which came with Hickory in 2014. He has worked 8 2/3 scoreless frames dating back to July 23.
Deglan, 23, was selected 22nd overall by the Rangers in the 2010 MLB draft. He caught a team high 59 games with High Desert. He batted .236 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI this season and enters the Texas League riding an eight-game hit streak. Deglan belted a career-high 16 home runs in 2014 and has compiled four consecutive seasons with more than ten homers. The British Columbian threw out 31% of base stealers with the Mavericks. Deglan competed and won a gold medal in the Pan American Games in July for team Canada.
Coello, 30, exercised an opt-out clause in his minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on June 1 and signed a minor league deal with the Rangers earlier this month. The 30-year-old Coello has spent most of his career as a reliever, but the Giants used him in the rotation at Triple-A Sacramento this season. In 11 starts that spanned 64 1/3 innings, Coello worked to a 3.50 ERA with 6.9 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9. Coello last appeared in the Majors with the 2013 Angels, pitching to a 3.71 ERA with 23 strikeouts against eight walks in 17 innings.
Pirela, 26, appeared in 29 games for Frisco before a promotion to Triple-A Round Rock. The right-hander tossed six scoreless frames with four strikeouts for the Express. The Venezuelan went 0-2 with a 3.70 ERA in 41 1/3 innings for the RoughRiders.
Castillo, 26, was given his outright release. The right-hander appeared in 19 games with the Riders this season and went 2-2 with a 4.73 ERA. He appeared in two games with the Mavericks prior to joining Frisco.
The club begins a six-game homestand on Tuesday, starting with three games against the Tulsa Drillers (Los Angeles Dodgers). Highlighting the promotional slate will be another Thirsty Thursday (Aug. 13), a pair of Fireworks Nights (Aug. 14 and 16), Faith Night featuring a post-game concert from recording artist Jason Castro (Aug. 15), and a Kids Backpack Giveaway (Aug. 16).Tickets may be purchased at the Dr Pepper Ballpark box office, by calling (972) 731-9200 or via www.RidersBaseball.com.