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Tanner Scheppers injury update: Texas Rangers righthanded pitcher Tanner Scheppers will begin a rehab assignment on Saturday, and will be rehabbing as a starting pitcher, per Drew Davison.
Scheppers impressed in spring training and was the Rangers' Opening Day starter, with g.m. Jon Daniels saying that the Rangers thought Scheppers had the potential to be a top of the rotation starter.
But Scheppers struggled with his pitch counts and effectiveness before ending up on the disabled list due to elbow inflammation. Davison says that Scheppers "drew the ire of some in the organization" for not telling anyone that his elbow was bothering him all the way back in spring training.
I suspect that how Scheppers ends up being utilized once he's activated will depend in large part on the state of the team. If the Rangers are ten games under .500 and effectively out of the playoff hunt, the Rangers would seem to be more likely to put Scheppers in the rotation, as it doesn't matter so much if he flames out in that role. On the other hand, if the Rangers are still afloat, the Rangers may feel like they need Scheppers in the bullpen in order to maximize their chances of winning this year.
This will be something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks. The Rangers can keep Scheppers on a rehab assignment for thirty days, and thus could put off the decision until late June if they choose.
