ARLINGTON -- The Texas Rangers announced after the day game of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Oakland Athletics that the club has selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Peter Fairbanks (#46) from Triple-A Nashville. Fairbanks will be in uniform and active for the night contest of the doubleheader, seeking his Major League debut.

To make room on the active roster for Fairbanks, the club has optioned left-handed pitcher Joe Palumbo to Double-A Frisco. To make room on the 40-man roster for Fairbanks, the Rangers have designated right-handed pitcher Nick Gardewine for assignment.

Fairbanks, 25, has combined to post a 2-0 record with 2 saves and a 2.35 ERA (6 ER/23.0 IP) over 21 relief appearances with the Rangers’ top three minor league affiliates in 2019. He has an overall 0.870 WHIP figure while averaging 14.1 strikeouts per 9 innings, as opposing batters have produced a .179/.225/.226/.451 (15-84) slash line with 5 walks/36 strikeouts and just 4 extra-base hits (all doubles) this season. After beginning the year at High-A Down East, Fairbanks was promoted to Double-A Frisco on May 9 and elevated to Triple-A Nashville on May 29. Fairbanks has 10 career appearances above the High-A level, and he last pitched with the Sounds on Thursday at Reno (0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R-ER, 1 BB, 0 SO, 12 pitches/7 strikes).

Fairbanks has returned the mound this season after missing all of 2018 following ‘Tommy John’ ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow on August 14, 2017. The St. Louis-area native was the club’s ninth round selection in the 2015 June draft out of the University of Missouri.

Palumbo started and took no decision in the first game of today’s doubleheader, allowing 4 runs over 4.0 innings in his Major League debut. Palumbo has spent the balance of the year at Frisco, posting no record and a 3.38 ERA (19 ER/50.2 IP) in 10 games/9 starts.

The Rangers have seven days to trade, release, or outright Gardewine to the minor leagues. He has 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 prior to Saturday night’s contest, 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.