SURPRISE, Ariz. _ What looked inevitable from the middle of spring training became reality on Thursday: Willie Calhoun is being sent to the minor leagues.
The Rangers informed Calhoun, 24, that there was no spot for him on the major league roster to start the year. He will instead go to Triple-A Nashville, something Calhoun said last week he didn't know how he would accept.
The Rangers informed Hunter Pence and reliever Jeffrey Springs they had made the roster Thursday morning. Pence, a right-handed hitter, will get significant at-bats backing up the two corner outfielders and DH Shin Shoo-Choo, all of whom are left-handed hitters. Calhoun's defensive limitations combined with the fact he is also a left-handed hitter simply made it impossible for the Rangers to carry him and create a significant role.
The Rangers had been impressed with Calhoun's work during the offseason and his continued commitment to the process but, in the end, there simply wasn't a fit.
"It was tough," manager Chris Woodward said of the conversation with Calhoun. "He's not happy and rightfully so. It's going to be a learning moment for him to see how mature he can be in this situation. It's not an easy one. He deserves a right to be on the team but with our roster the way it is and the decisions we had to make, it just didn't fit. I don't expect him to accept it and be happy. But I do expect him to be a professional."
Calhoun is tentatively scheduled to play at Glendale in the Rangers' split squad game against the Chicago White Sox Thursday. Woodward said he was uncertain if Calhoun would play in that game; he gave him the option of taking the day off.
"It's really tough to put that time and effort in and not be rewarded, but he's got a long career ahead of him," Woodward said. "I hope that this doesn't set him back and put a chip on his shoulder toward the organization because the organization deeply cares about him and wants him to be successful."
Also Thursday, the Rangers formally announced the order for their starting rotation. Mike Minor will be followed in order by Edinson Volquez, Lance Lynn, Drew Smyly and Shelby Miller. Volquez is moving between Minor and Lynn to break up a string of three Tommy John returnees who may be on limited pitch counts. Smyly slots ahead of Miller so the Rangers don't have three right-handed starts in a row.
Pitcher Jordan Romano, acquired in a Rule 5 draft day trade, will not make the team. He must clear waivers before the Rangers could attempt to work out a trade to keep him in the system.
