Rangers place RHP Tanner Scheppers on 15-day disabled list, purchase contract of RHP Ben Rowen from Triple-A Round Rock

The Texas Rangers announced today that the club has placed right-handed pitcher Tanner Scheppers on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation. To take his place on the active roster, the team has recalled right-handed pitcher Ben Rowen (#39) from Triple-A Round Rock.

Scheppers was also on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation from April 18-June 4 and has allowed runs in 3 of his 4 relief appearances (4.2 IP, 4 R-3 ER) since being activated. The club's Opening Day starter, he has an 0-1 record with a 9.00 ERA (23 ER/23.0 IP) in 8 games/4 starts for Texas this season. The first date he would be eligible to return from the disabled list is June 26.

Rowen, 25, will be in uniform tonight and is looking to make his major league debut. He has spent the season at Round Rock, going 1-0 with 2 saves and a 2.75 ERA (6 ER/19.2 IP) in 16 relief appearances. Opponents have hit .237 (18-76) against Rowen with 2 walks and 14 strikeouts, including just a .196 (10-51) figure by right-handed batters. He has posted 10 straight scoreless appearances at Triple-A, totaling 12.1 shutout innings with one walk and 10 strikeouts in that span. Rowen last pitched on Friday at New Orleans, tossing a scoreless 9th inning to earn the save (1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 SO, 18 pitches/12 strikes).

The Rangers 2012 Minor League Reliever of the Year, Rowen has gone 19-5 with a 1.46 ERA and 0.967 WHIP figure over 159 career appearances in the minor leagues, all in relief. He was in major league camp with the Rangers this spring, but did not appear in a game due to right biceps tendinitis. Rowen was originally selected by Texas in the 22nd round of the 2010 June draft.

The Rangers have now used the disabled list 20 times in 2014, including 14 current players on the disabled list, both the highest figures in the majors.

The Rangers still have a full 40-man roster.