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Scheppers

The Rangers have six players participating in the Venezuelan Winter League, including top pitching prospect Tanner Scheppers. The kidnapping of Ramos took place in Valencia, the same town where Scheppers’ team is based. The Rangers also have multiple players who call Venezuela home, including shortstop Elvis Andrus.

Scheppers has posted a solid 3.72 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 27/4 K/BB ratio across 29 innings this season at the Triple-A level. He should do well in a middle-relief role.

Scheppers is the corresponding move for Robbie Ross (forearm strain), who was placed on the disabled Friday. It’s possible he could be an option for the postseason roster if Ross requires an extended absence.

Scheppers has a 4.56 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in 29 appearances with the Rangers. It’s a temporary move, and he should be back when rosters expand in September.

Scheppers will be reevaluated on Wednesday, but it doesn’t sound like anything serious. The right-hander has a 4.50 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 30 inning of relief this season.

The Rangers are still awaiting the results of an MRI, but it sounds like he’s just day-to-day. We feel we dodged a bullet,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “It feels like we may have avoided the worst.”

An X-ray came back clean, as well. Scheppers has been diagnosed with a contusion on the knee and should be ready to pitch again soon.

Scheppers was able to put more pressure on his right knee Thursday and was scheduled to play catch. He suffered a bruised knee during an appearance Tuesday. The hard-throwing right-hander holds a 4.50 ERA with 29 strikeouts over 30 relief innings this season.

It was a minor procedure and he shouldn’t have any restrictions this spring. Scheppers posted a 4.45 ERA and 30/9 K/BB ratio over 32 1/3 innings with the Rangers last season and should compete for a spot in the bullpen this spring.

Scheppers has been nursing some mild left hamstring tightness. He should be ready to appear in games before long.