Rangers recall Kirkman, outright Tomko

by Adam J. Morris on May 27, 2011 4:01 PM CDT

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Michael Kirkman #62 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the New York Yankees in Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 20 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Well, this was unexpected...

The Texas Rangers have recalled lefthanded pitcher Michael Kirkman from AAA Round Rock. To make room for Kirkman on the 25 man roster, the Rangers apparently put righthanded pitcher Brett Tomko on waivers after Wednesday's game, having announced today that he cleared waivers and has accepted an outright assignment to Round Rock.

Tomko had originally been brought up to share long relief duties with Dave Bush, but has been used more in a middle-relief role. Kirkman came into spring training considered to have a good shot at earning a rotation job with the major league team, but struggled both in the spring and early in the season in the minors.

Kirkman has been pitching out of the bullpen recently with Round Rock, and in four relief outings, he has struck out 9 batters against just two walks, allowing 6 hits and 1 run in 7 2/3 innings.

Kirkman will presumably be a middle reliever, giving the Rangers a third lefty option along with Darren Oliver and Arthur Rhodes.

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Is Tomko off the 40 man roster now?

Well then... I would like to see this Jeff Sullivan pornagraphy.

by ghostofErikThompson on Aug 11, 2010 10:35 PM PDT

by Feliz es bueno on May 27, 2011 4:07 PM CDT reply actions

Yes

If I had a gun to my head and had to pick one pitcher to pitch a game to save my life.... I'd pick 1999 Rick Helling.

Fire Pat Knight Hire Billy Clyde

My Sports Stuff on Ebay

by matthewbschultz83 on May 27, 2011 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Not that I'm complaining (because I fucking hate Brett fucking Tomko)

But I don’t really get this….

If I had a gun to my head and had to pick one pitcher to pitch a game to save my life.... I'd pick 1999 Rick Helling.

Fire Pat Knight Hire Billy Clyde

My Sports Stuff on Ebay

by matthewbschultz83 on May 27, 2011 4:14 PM CDT reply actions

Why?

Tomko was crap.

by rcreative on May 27, 2011 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Just seems like weird timing.

Did Tomko forget to lock his locker and JD stole back the photos?

If I had a gun to my head and had to pick one pitcher to pitch a game to save my life.... I'd pick 1999 Rick Helling.

Fire Pat Knight Hire Billy Clyde

My Sports Stuff on Ebay

by matthewbschultz83 on May 27, 2011 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Could be about freeing up the 40 man roster space...

SB Nation DFW - Come Read Robbie Griffin's Articles!

by ghostofErikThompson on May 27, 2011 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Scheppers will throw a bullpen session soon

But I don’t think he is near ready for the big club.

I know you're still struggling to find your way in LSB but you'd probably feel more comfortable in one of the other threads that talks about
weather, fashion, video games, uniform colors, etc. . - Josey Wales 5/18/11

by RangerMad on May 27, 2011 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Kirkman was getting his groove back in the pen

He did well last year for us in this role and has the kind of stuff that can play well in the pen. I have no problem giving him a chance at this point.

"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." The JeDi

by blalock84 on May 27, 2011 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Clears a 40 man spot

Wonder if this means we’ll be seeing some kind of acquisition soon.

...so I had a triple.

by LSJ on May 27, 2011 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Wash said

it was to give rhodes and oliver some relief

by Rube Baker on May 27, 2011 6:01 PM CDT reply actions

exactly..additonal lefty for Hosmer, Gordon, Cabrera(platoon adv) matchups...

"Its called stats!"
by steel home on May 4, 2011

by CW13 on May 27, 2011 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Why is Rhodes still on our team?

The guy fucking sucks! He throws 86 mile an hour fastballs right down the middle and gets rocked everytime. I don’t care that he had a career year last year, the guy is washed up. Remember how Eddy G had a good year for us in 2008 and then was so hittable the following year? That’s who Rhodes reminds me of. I’d take 2009 Eddy over 2011 Rhodes.

by Ty R on May 27, 2011 6:25 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

lolwat

Apologies to anyone that already posted this...
…but Thor is an impostor. Dirk is the true God of Thunder

by Steve Estep on May 23, 2011 9:46 PM PDT

by AfterSchoolSpecial on May 27, 2011 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Your BP is in bad shape

if you have 2 lefty specialists and need a backup.

I hope Kirkman isn’t buried so far down on the totem pole that he pitches twice a month in meaningless games. Kirkman hopefully has a future with the team, so having him sit on his butt day after day doing nothing seems meaningless.

The way Ollie and Rhodes are going, they’re looking like guys who should come in and pitch to the lefty then leave.

I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass, and I am all out of bubble gum.

by Tex Pantego on May 27, 2011 6:30 PM CDT reply actions