Aaron Poreda Optioned; Tanner Scheppers Activated

After allowing 2 hits in a third of an inning last night, LHP Aaron Poreda has been optioned back to the minor leagues. The Rangers have activated Tanner Scheppers to assume his spot on the 25-man roster. 

Behind an upper-90's fastball, Aaron Poreda has been a pleasant surprise in 2014, posting a 3.29 ERA (3.70 xFIP) in 13.2 innings. Though Jon Daniels is burning through Poreda's options right now, the tall lefty has the type of upside to be in the major league bullpen long-term. 

Scheppers, meanwhile, hasn't pitched since April 17th -- almost two months -- where he made his final start of what could be considered an underwhelming stint as a starting pitcher. In 18.1 IP he allowed 20 runs (all earned) on 27 hits, with a K/BB ratio of 13:8. As someone who was behind the front office's decision to experiment with Scheppers as a starter in a why the hell not? sort of way, I can now admit it was probably too ambitious of a dream. 

Tanner figures to work out of the bullpen exclusively from this point forward.