RANGERS RECALL RHP LISALVERTO BONILLA, INF LUIS SARDINAS,
AND RHP NICK TEPESCH FROM ROUND ROCK;
PURCHASE CONTRACT OF LHP MICHAEL KIRKMAN
RHP Tanner Scheppers transferred to 60-day disabled list
Kansas City, Mo. – The Texas Rangers formally announced today the following roster moves:
- Right-handed pitcher Lisalverto Bonilla (#59 – pronounced leez-al-VEHR-toe boh-NEE-ya) recalled from Round Rock (AAA)
- Infielder Luis Sardinas (#3) recalled from Round Rock
- Right-handed pitcher Nick Tepesch (#23) recalled from Round Rock
- Left-handed pitcher Michael Kirkman (#50) contract purchased from Round Rock
- Right-handed pitcher Tanner Scheppers transferred from 15- to 60-day disabled list
Bonilla, 24, will be seeking his major league debut. He had a 4-2 record with one save and a 4.10 ERA (34 ER/74.2 IP) over 39 games/6 starts with Round Rock. He transitioned into the Express rotation on July 23 and started 6 of his last 11 games, going 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA (10 ER/25.0 IP) and 33 strikeouts as a starter. Bonilla completed a season-high 7.0 innings and allowed just one run in his last start on Sunday vs. Nashville. He has averaged 11.1 strikeouts per 9 innings this season and owns a 10.3 strikeout-per-9-inning rate over his 6 minor league seasons.
Kirkman, 27, will be seeking his first action with Texas this season. He went 5-5 with a save and 4.47 ERA (27 ER/54.1 IP) over 36 games/4 starts with Round Rock this season. Over his last 30 relief appearances since May 21, he has compiled a 1.51 ERA (7 ER/41.2 IP) with 46 strikeouts against 10 walks. Kirkman has allowed earned runs in just 3 of those 30 outings and recorded at least one strikeout in 19 straight appearances. He has held left-handed batters to a .198 (16-81) average with 31 strikeouts and no extra-base hits at Triple-A. He was designated for assignment by the Rangers on March 28 at the end of spring training and assigned outright to Round Rock on April 1. His last big league outing was June 6, 2013 at Boston.
Sardinas, 21, will be in his third stint with the Rangers this season (also April 19-26 and May 8-June 29). He has played 26 games with Texas this season in his first major league action, batting .288 (19-66) with 2 doubles, no homers, and 4 RBI, making starts at second base (12), shortstop (3), and third base (2). The switch-hitter combined to hit .281 (98-349) with one home run and 37 RBI over 81 games in the minors this season with Frisco (AA) and Round Rock. He posted multiple hits in 5 of his last 7 games with Round Rock at .379 (11-29).
Tepesch was optioned to Round Rock on Saturday when the club added Robbie Ross Jr. and Derek Holland to the roster. He is the scheduled starter for tomorrow night’s series finale in Kansas City. Tepesch is 4-8 with a 4.44 ERA (48 ER/97.1 IP) in 18 games/17 starts for Texas this season, including a 3.56 (12 ER/30.1 IP) figure over his last 5 starts.
Scheppers was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 11 with right elbow inflammation. The club’s Opening Day starter, he has a 0-1 record with a 9.00 ERA (23 ER/23.0 IP) in 8 games/4 starts for Texas this season.
With today’s transactions, the Rangers have 29 players on the active roster for tonight’s game in Kansas City as well as a full 40-man roster.
– RANGERS –
