Yohander Mendez recalled, Nick Gardewine optioned

Texas Rangers transactions: The Texas Rangers have recalled lefthanded pitcher Yohander Mendez from AAA Round Rock, the team announced today. To make room on the active roster for Mendez, the Rangers have optioned Nick Gardewine to AAA Round Rock.

Gardewine was called up to the majors yesterday, arrived at Jacobs Field in Cleveland about an hour and a half before game time, and ended up pitching two shutout innings against the Indians. His reward is to head back out to the minors today, as the Rangers bring up Mendez to give them a fresh arm in the pen.

Mendez has been working as a starter at Round Rock, and last pitched on April 28, so he would be working on the normal four days rest for a starting pitcher, should he be used out of the pen today. He presumably is up to give the Rangers a long man after Jesse Chavez also pitched two innings yesterday.

Mendez, 23, was part of that highly touted 2011 J-2 class that also included Nomar Mazara and Ronald Guzman. He has a 7.63 ERA in 15.1 IP in his major league career, and has put up a 6.66 ERA in 24.1 IP over 5 starts for Round Rock this season.