Yohander Mendez optioned, Deolis Guerra sent down

The Texas Rangers optioned pitcher Yohander Mendez to AAA Round Rock today, and re-assigned pitcher Deolis Guerra to the minor league camp, the team announced.

Neither move is particularly surprising. Mendez, who is on his final option, will be working in the rotation for the Express this year, and with Clayton Blackburn and Ronald Herrera starting the year on the disabled list, he will be one of the first options the Rangers will turn to should they need to bring a starting pitcher up from the minors. Still a work in progress, Mendez was not viewed as a serious contender for a roster spot out of camp.

Guerra, 28, is best known for being part of the package the New York Mets sent to the Minnesota Twins for Johan Santana a decade ago. The righthanded reliever was signed to a minor league deal, and will be in Round Rock, most likely, as bullpen depth for Texas.