Rangers recall LHP Joe Palumbo from Frisco and place LHP Jeffrey Springs on 10-day injured list

Joey Gallo and Scott Heineman assigned to Arizona League Rangers on injury rehabilitation assignment, RHP Nick Gardewine re-signed to Minor League contract

June 19th, 2019

Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers today announced the following five transactions:

  • Left-handed pitcher Joe Palumbo recalled from Double-A Frisco
  • Left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs placed on 10-day injured list, retroactive to Monday, with left biceps tendinitis
  • Outfielder Joey Gallo sent to Arizona League Rangers on injury rehabilitation assignment
  • Outfielder Scott Heineman sent to Arizona League Rangers on injury rehabilitation assignment
  • Right-handed pitcher Nick Gardewine re-signed to two-year minor league contract

Palumbo, 24, is scheduled to make his second Major League start for the Rangers in Wednesday night’s game against Cleveland. He made his big league debut with a start in the first game of a split doubleheader on June 8 vs. Oakland, taking no decision in the Rangers’ 10-5 victory (4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R-ER, 0 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR). He has spent the balance of the season with Frisco, posting no record with a 3.19 ERA and 1.267 WHIP figure over 11 games/10 starts for the RoughRiders, averaging 11.6 strikeouts per 9 innings and just 0.8 home runs per 9 innings.

Springs has a 4-1 record with a 6.23 ERA over 20 relief appearances spanning two stints with the Rangers this season (Opening Day-April 25 and May 15-current). The first date he would be eligible to return is June 27.

Gallo was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 2 with a left oblique strain sustained during his fifth inning plate appearance on June 1 vs. Kansas City. He has produced a slash line of .276/.421/.653/1.074 with 17 home runs and 41 RBI in 50 games with the Rangers this season. Despite appearing in just one game this month, Gallo still ranks among American League leaders in home runs (T7th, 17) and walks (10th, 42).

Heineman has been on the 60-day injured list for the entire campaign after offseason surgery to repair the labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. During a previous injury rehabilitation assignment with Nashville from May 21-27, Heineman batted .231 (6-26) with 3 RBI in 6 games before he was removed from the stint due to left shoulder soreness.

Gardewine returns to the organization after he was designated for assignment on June 8 and given his unconditional release on June 15. Prior to being designated for assignment, he had been on the Nashville injured list since April 14 with a right shoulder strain, this after posting 4.1 scoreless innings over 4 relief appearances for the Sounds to begin the year. Gardewine's only Major League action came with the Rangers in 2017-18, when he made 15 appearances. He ended the 2018 campaign on the Rangers' 60-day injured list with a right forearm strain.

Following these transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the club’s Major League roster, along with five players on the 60-day injured list: RHP Luke Farrell, LHP Taylor Hearn, OF Scott Heineman, LHP Yohander Méndez, and RHP Edinson Vólquez.