ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers bullpen is set and it doesn't include a left-handed pitcher for now.
The club will travel to Oakland with right-hander Anthony Bass as the seventh bullpen member. The club optioned left-hander Alex Claudio to Round Rock and informed lefty Sam Freeman that he wouldn't make the team.
While the roster spot for Bass isn't a lock because the Rangers don't have to set the roster until 2 p.m. Sunday, they did let right-handers Keone Kela, Roman Mendez and Phil Klein know they've made the Opening Day roster. It's the first time any of the three have made an Opening Day roster. Right-hander Logan Verrett, who was acquired on a waiver claim Thursday, gives the Texas bullpen two pitchers (Kela) who have no major-league experience.
The Rangers will go with an inexperienced bullpen in part because both Tanner Scheppers (ankle) and Kyuji Fujikawa (groin) will open the season on the disabled list.
"A lot of good arms, lack of experience," general manager Jon Daniels said of the bullpen. "I think it's going to be a chance for Jeff (Banister) and Mike (Maddux) to kind of establish roles here early on. From a talent standpoint I feel good about it. Lack of experience brings a bit of unknown. I would think the bullpen will be in a better position in a couple of weeks when we get healthy. From a talent standpoint I feel pretty good about the arms out there."
In addition to Claudio, the Rangers also optioned right-hander Jon Edwards to Round Rock and sent catcher Chris Gimenez and infielder Tommy Field to minor-league camp.
Kela, Mendez and Klein each had strong springs. Kela, 21, didn't allow his first earned run until Friday despite never pitching above Double A.
"I just prepared and played my heart out," Kela said. "I still felt like every time I stepped on the mound and threw the ball well I was in competition to take a spot. Everything has gone pretty well."
Both Bass, who finished the spring with a 5.06 ERA, and Verrett can give the Rangers multiple innings. As for other defined roles, there aren't any yet.
Daniels said he and manager Jeff Banister talked a little about bullpen roles Saturday before Banister left Globe Life Park early to go home because of the flu. He said it would ultimately be up to Banister although Tolleson is the only one of the group with any late-inning experience in games.
Scheppers should be able to help out soon. He's slated to pitch for Frisco Sunday in an exhibition game and then go back-to-back next weekend when the Roughriders open the season. Scheppers only threw 3 2/3 innings this spring because of the ankle.
The Rangers picked up Freeman last week from St. Louis for a player to be named or cash considerations. But he gave up 10 hits over two innings in his three outings with the Rangers. Daniels said the club would like to keep him in the organization.
Daniels also didn't rule out the club trying to add another left-hander. Michael Kirkman, Joe Beimel, Freeman and Claudio were each given a shot at the job.
"We've had some conversations with other clubs and it's possible," Daniels said. "It's not ideal and I think most of the righties out there can get left-handers out. I feel like the guys we have have weapons to get left-handers out."
Texas also informed outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. that he made the Opening Day roster.
DeShields, who was a Rule 5 pick, hit .256 for Texas this spring but showed his speed with a team high five steals.
Now DeShields, who like Kela has never played higher that Double A, will have a chance to be the backup centerfielder.
"I completely understand my role on this team," said DeShields, who can also play second base. "It's going to be challenging not being able to play every day like I'm used to but I like challenges. It will be an interesting and fun one."
