Texas Rangers Roster Moves for Monday, July 7, 2014

Comment Off 12 Views

Monday, July 7, 2014

RANGERS RECALL RHP ROMAN MENDEZ AND PURCHASE CONTRACT OF

OUTFIELDER JAKE SMOLINSKI FROM TRIPLE-A ROUND ROCK

OF Michael Choice optioned to Round Rock, INF Donnie Murphy designated for assignment

 

Arlington, Texas – The Texas Rangers today announced the following four roster moves:

 

  • Right-handed pitcher Roman Mendez (#55) recalled from Triple-A Round Rock
  • Outfielder Jake Smolinski (#20) contract purchased from Triple-A Round Rock
  • Outfielder Michael Choice optioned to Triple-A Round Rock
  • Infielder Donnie Murphy designated for assignment

 

Mendez, 23, will be in uniform tonight seeking his major league debut.  He has gone 0-1 with 3 saves and a 4.02 ERA (14 ER/31.1 IP) in 25 relief appearances for Round Rock this season in his first career Triple-A action.  He has posted 30 strikeouts against 12 walks.  Mendez was primarily a starting pitcher to begin his career, but has pitched exclusively in relief since a promotion to Double-A in August 2012.  He missed most of last season following surgery on May 31, 2013 to treat a stress fracture in his right elbow.  Originally acquired from Boston in the July 31, 2010 trade involving Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Mendez has averaged 9.1 strikeouts per 9 innings in his minor league career.

 

Smolinski, 25, will also be looking to make his major league debut.  He has hit safely in 7 of 8 games with Round Rock, batting .267 (8-30) with 6 doubles and 6 RBI since a promotion from Double-A Frisco on June 25.  He was selected to the Texas League All-Star Game after batting .267 (71-266) with 15 doubles, 10 home runs, and 35 RBI in 72 games with Frisco.  Signed as a minor league free agent over the offseason, Smolinski previously split his professional career between the Nationals (2007-08) and Marlins (2009-13) since being drafted by Washington in the second round of the 2007 June draft.  He was a part of a November 11, 2008 trade involving Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen.

 

Choice was on the Rangers’ Opening Day roster and has batted .177 (35-198) with 8 home runs and 28 RBI for Texas this season.  His 8 homers rank fourth on the club.

 

The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release, or outright Murphy to the minor leagues.  Murphy batted .196 (22-112) with 4 home runs and 14 RBI over 45 games with Texas this season, and was also on the disabled list from May 8-22 with a neck strain.

 

After today’s moves, the Rangers still have 39 players on the club’s 40-man roster.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
In : Sports

About the author

Free Newsletter Updated Daily