ARLINGTON, Texas — The trade for Ryan Dempster left the Texas Rangers with an extra man in their starting rotation.
That man was right-hander Roy Oswalt.
The club is moving Oswalt, who they signed in May, to the bullpen to create room for Dempster.
Oswalt is 3-2 in six starts with the Rangers but has a 6.49 ERA. He allowed eight runs in 5 1/3 innings Monday in the 15-8 loss to Los Angeles.
Texas decided to go with Scott Feldman in the rotation over Oswalt.
"It's the nature of where we are in the season," Texas general manager Jon Daniels said. "Like a lot of things that happen, nothing's necessarily permanent. The others guys have been throwing the ball well and I think we're going to put the club out there that at that moment gives us the best chance to win that night, that series, that period of time. Feldman's earned the right to stay there."
Feldman (5-6) has won his last five decisions, allowing just one run over his last 15 innings. His next scheduled start is Friday at Kansas City.
The Rangers are paying Oswalt $5 million this season. He allowed one run in his first start but has also had starts in which he's allowed nine and eight runs. He was skipped in the rotation last week because of lower back stiffness that forced him to get an injection.
Texas manager Ron Washington told Oswalt about the decision Tuesday afternoon.
"He wanted to be a part of what's best and he understands we've got those young kids in that rotation and the way Feldman's throwing the ball and now we've just got a big-time pitcher there had to be a change," Washington said. "Of course he doesn't want the change to be him but he's going to do whatever the ball club needs him to do."
