Tanner Scheppers rehab continues at Frisco

Apr 12, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux (right) and catcher J.P. Arencibia (left) meet starting pitcher Tanner Scheppers (52) on the mound for a conference during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Frisco – Texas Rangers pitcher Tanner Scheppers made his fourth rehab assignment tonight, this time with the Frisco Rough Riders.  Scheppers was placed on the disabled list on April 18th with right elbow inflammation.  After his last outing with the Rangers he admitted that his arm had been hurting a bit for a while.

He spent a little over a month before the Rangers finally sent him to triple-A round Round Rock to start his rehab assignment.   The three games he pitched there didn’t go so well for Scheppers.

Over 3 games/3.2 innings, he has allowed 5 earned runs, 7 hits and recorded only 3 strikeouts.  He has a sky high ERA of 12.27 during his triple-A assignment.  To say he’s rehab assignment isn’t going well is putting it nicely.

Today it was announced that Scheppers was being moved form triple-A Round Rock to the double-A Frisco Rough Riders.

Scheppers came in to tonight’s game during the 8th inning and looked pretty good.  He threw only 6 pitches, 5 were for strikes.  Scheppers quickly recorded the first 2 outs on three pitches.  He allowed one hit, and recorded the final out on what looked like a weak line drive back to the mound which he caught.  Another good sign from Scheppers was several of his pitches hit 96 MPH tonight.

He only threw 6 pitches tonight, and was able to get the job done after one inning.  But that seemed to be the theme for Scheppers as a starter.  After the batting order was able to see him once, they had him figured out and hit him hard.

Hopefully he’ll continue to rehab and work his way back in to a role in the bullpen.  He was solid last year and right now that’s exactly what the Rangers need.