Texas Rangers recall Palumbo, option Payano

Texas Rangers transactions: Joe Palumbo has been recalled from AAA Nashville, and Pedro Payano has been optioned to make room for him on the active roster, the team announced today.

Palumbo was announced yesterday as today’s starter, going in place of the regularly scheduled starter, Mike Minor, who is getting some extra rest. Palumbo technically isn’t starting — Jose Leclerc will be pitching as the opener — but he’s coming in for Leclerc to handle the starter role.

That said, with the All Star Break tomorrow, we could see Palumbo have a shortened outing. Palumbo pitched well initially in his first major league start before running into trouble, but then had a bad outing in his second major league start. If Palumbo starts getting into problems, Phillips Valdez is in the bullpen and could be asked to go multiple innings.

As for Payano, he was called up yesterday and goes back down today, but he did get a scoreless inning in the majors, and could get another opportunity later this season when the Rangers need a fresh arm.