Texas Rangers rumors: Phil Klein scratched in AAA, reportedly option to start Wednesday

Texas Rangers rumors:  Phil Klein has been scratched from his start at AAA Round Rock today, and per Evan Grant, Jon Daniels says Klein is a possible option to start for the Rangers on Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox.

Klein, a 26 year old righthander who was a 30th round pick of the Rangers in 2011, has spent most of his career as a reliever before being moved to the rotation when Luke Jackson slid into the Round Rock bullpen earlier this month.  Klein has made two starts for the Express, and hasn't pitched five innings in either start, although he also has allowed just 1 run on 3 hits in 8.1 IP in those two starts.

My initial inclination was that the Rangers should look at using Anthony Bass as the starter on Wednesday, and see if he can give them 3-4 innings before turning to the newly recalled Ross Ohlendorf.  It may be that the Rangers would use Klein similarly, with the plan being to bring him up, make the start, and then send him back down for a fresh reliever in an effort to keep as many rested arms in the bullpen as possible.  Its also possible the Rangers want to see whether Bass ends up having to pitch today or Tuesday before committing to him as a starter on Wednesday.

Chi Chi Gonzalez is scheduled to start for the Express on Wednesday, but he still needs some refinement in AAA before he's major league ready, and it appears unlikely the Rangers are going to want him to come up to pitch just one game and then be sent back down, especially since doing so would require adding him to the 40 man roster.