Texas Rangers promote Matt Bush, per reports

The Texas Rangers are promoting righthanded reliever Matt Bush to the major leagues, according to Jon Morosi on Twitter.

We have been saying for a while that Bush could be up in the majors fairly quickly, though I expected it wouldn't be until after Memorial Day.  But with Bush excelling at AA, while the major league bullpen has sprung some leaks, the organization apparently felt that there was no reason to wait.

Bush, 30, has put up a 2.65 ERA in 17 IP this season for the RoughRiders, with 9 hits, 4 walks and 18 strikeouts.  He's viewed as a potential late inning impact reliever, as he throws hard and throws strikes.  Its quite a remarkable story for the former #1 overall pick in the draft, who was selected as a shortstop, busted out as a position player, tried pitching, then spent time in prison for almost killing a man while driving drunk.

This also would help explain the decision to move Anthony Ranaudo yesterday, as it clears out a 40 man roster spot for Bush.

UPDATE -- T.R. Sullivan has confirmed that Bush is being called up today.