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Poreda odd man out in bullpen, sent to Triple-A

MINNEAPOLIS -- Left-handed reliever Aaron Poreda was the victim of rules, circumstances and numbers. The Rangers had to send him back to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday to make room for Joe Saunders, who was activated off the disabled list.

Poreda was 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA in 15 outings for the Rangers. In 13 1/3 innings, he had allowed 15 hits, four walks and 11 strikeouts. But he has options, meaning he can be sent to the Minor Leagues without being put through waivers. The Rangers also had two other left-handers in the bullpen in Robbie Ross Jr. and Neal Cotts.

"Those are the toughest ones to deal with because you don't have any reason to tell them," manager Ron Washington said. "He was a class act. He understood. He's going to go down there and keep throwing."

Poreda, a former No. 1 Draft pick out of the University of San Francisco by the White Sox, still has a chance to be a major success story for the Rangers. He was signed as a Minor League free agent this winter after missing almost two complete seasons because of Tommy John surgery and appears to be back at full strength. His fastball has averaged 94.9 miles per hour, the highest on the staff.

"I have been very pleased," Poreda said. "My fastball command has been great and my walks are way down. That was my number one priority, having the command to pitch again … up and down, mixing speeds."

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger.
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