The Rangers have released 24-year old righty reliever Ryan Tucker. Tucker pitched in 29 games (8 starts) in AAA-ball for the Rangers this year and he was 3-5 with 2 saves, a 5.40 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. Tucker walked 31 batters and he gave up 79 hits in only 68 1/3 innings in the minors this year, so he displayed a lack of control while not missing many bats. This is not much of a loss for the Rangers.

The Rangers have called up 23-year old lefty swinging CF Leonys Martin. They just signed him earlier this year and started him out in the minors. Martin played in 73 games in Rookie+AA+AAA-ball for the Rangers and he was 89 for 302 (.295 avg, .783 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 4 homers, 42 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. The Rangers aren’t calling Martin up to sit him on the bench, so look for him to share time in CF with Endy Chavez.

21-year old lefty starting pitcher Robbie Ross came into this season as the Rangers’ #19 prospect according to Baseball America. Ross has pitched in 23 games (22 starts) in A+AA-ball so far this year and he is 9-5 with a 2.44 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. He has only allowed 115 hits in his first 136 1/3 innings this year while also whiffing 110 batters and only walking 29 of them, which is pretty impressive. Ross has now pitched in 65 games (64 starts) in his first three years in the minors and he is 25-20 with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. The Rangers are likely going to put him on the fast track to Arlington.

The Rangers took a $3 million dollar gamble on 32-year old righty starting pitcher Brandon Webb and all they got for their money was four starts in AA-ball. Webb will undergo righty shoulder surgery next week which will end his 2011 season. Webb pitched in 4 games (all starts) in AA-ball for the Rangers this year and he was 0-2 with a 9.75 ERA and a 2.25 WHIP. Webb has pitched in 199 games (198 starts) in his first seven years in the majors and he is 87-62 with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. The Rangers were naive to think that Webb was going to give them a productive year in 2011.

The Rangers have designated 24-year old lefty reliever Zach Phillips for assignment. Phillips pitched in 33 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Rangers this year and he was 1-3 with 3 saves, a 4.43 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. If Phillips clears waivers and will accept an outright assignment to AAA, the Rangers would love to keep him.

UPDATE: (7/19/2011) - The Rangers have dealt Phillips to the Orioles for 32-year old righty swinging infielder Nick Green and cash considerations. Green played in 87 games in AAA-ball for the Orioles this year and he was 64 for 308 (.208 avg, .633 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 10 homers, 44 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He has played in 393 games in parts of six years in the majors and he is 237 for 1,000 (.237 avg, .653 OPS) with 142 runs scored, 16 homers, 96 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. The Rangers were smart to get something for Zach Phillips because he wasn’t going to clear waivers.