The Texas Rangers are adding four players to their active roster tomorrow as part of September roster expansion, per John Blake on Twitter.
The four players being recalled are righthanded pitcher Nick Martinez, lefthanded pitcher Yohander Mendez, infielder Hanser Alberto, and catcher Brett Nicholas. All are being officially recalled tomorrow, and will be on the active roster for tomorrow night’s game.
These are mostly depth moves -- Alberto gives the Rangers an extra utility infielder along with Jurickson Profar, and Nicholas gives the Rangers a third catcher. Martinez will move into a long man role in the bullpen.
The intriguing addition, though, is Mendez. Part of the Rangers’ 2011 J-2 class, which included Nomar Mazara and Ronald Guzman, Mendez has battled injury issues throughout his career, but was added to the 40 man roster last winter after a solid 2015 campaign. He had a breakout 2016, putting up a 2.19 ERA in 111 IP between High Desert, Frisco and Round Rock, with 113 strikeouts against 41 walks, with just 4 home runs allowed. Mendez isn’t overpowering, but has a good four pitch mix with a very good changeup, and profiles as someone who could be a solid back of the rotation starting pitcher in the majors.
The 21 year old Mendez has already almost doubled his previous season high in innings pitched, so I doubt he’s going to get heavy usage — however, he could end up being used as a relief option on occasion in September, and the Rangers will likely be looking at him as rotation depth in 2017, so this allows them to acclimate him to the major leagues now.
More promotions will likely be coming once the AAA season ends, with Joey Gallo, Andrew Faulkner and Luke Jackson among the players who could get a look later this month.