Anthony Ranaudo, Alex Claudio, Francisco Mendoza sent down by Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers have optioned righthanded pitcher Anthony Ranaudo and lefthanded pitcher Alex Claudio to AAA Round Rock, and have assigned righthanded pitcher Francisco Mendoza to the minor league camp.

No real surprises here, other than the fact that the announcement for these pitchers was made separately from the announcement about the position players who were sent down earlier today.

Ranaudo was theoretically competing for the fifth starter spot, but was always something of a fringe candidate, and found himself out of the running fairly early on.  The 26 year old former first rounder, who was acquired in the 2014-15 offseason by Texas for Robbie Ross, is on his final option this summer, and while the Rangers are working with him on changing his delivery, the real question to me is whether he will continue to work as a starter, or if he will get moved to the bullpen in AAA.

Claudio and Mendoza were both among those vying for a job in the bullpen this spring, but with the relief corps largely being set, and most of the relievers being healthy, there was never an opportunity for either guy to claim a job.