Rangers LHP Joe Saunders designated for assignment; Club recalls RHP Miles Mikolas from Triple-A Round Rock

Baltimore, Md. - The Texas Rangers announced today that the club has designated left-handed pitcher Joe Saunders for assignment and recalled right-haned pitcher Miles Mikolas (pronounced "MIY-koh-lahs"). Mikolas (#36) is scheduled to start for Texas on Wednesday at Baltimore.

Saunders went 0-5 with a 6.13 ERA (27 ER/39.2 IP) over 8 starts with the Rangers this season, including taking the loss in last night's series opener. The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release, or outright Saunders to the minor leagues.

Mikolas, 25, is scheduled to make his first major league start in tomorrow's game in Baltimore. This is his second stint with the Rangers this season, as he did not appear during his first stint from May 14-17. He has gone 5-1 with a 3.22 ERA (16 ER/44.2 IP) in 16 games/6 starts for Round Rock (AAA) this season. He entered the year with just 11 career starts at the minor league level, all in his first professional season, but has gone 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA (13 ER/32.2 IP) in his 6 Triple-A starts after joining the Express rotation on May 30. He has 29 strikeouts and just 3 walks in those 6 starts. His last start came in Round Rock's 9-1 victory on Thursday at Memphis (6.0 IP, 10 H, 1 R-ER, 1 BB, 6 SO, 0 HR, 95 pitches/67 strikes). He opened the season on the Round Rock disabled list with an elbow strain and made 10 relief appearances after being activated on April 19.

Mikolas was in major league camp this spring, but was limited due to the right elbow strain. He was acquired from Pittsburgh in exchange for first baseman Chris McGuiness on Dec. 30, 2013. His only major league action came in 2012-13 with San Diego, going a combined 2-1 with a 3.44 ERA (13 ER/34.0 IP) in 27 relief outings.

With today's moves, the Rangers now have 39 players on the club's 40-man roster.