The Rangers optioned Dunning to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.
Dunning was lit up for five earned runs over three innings during his last appearance Friday, and he'll now head back to Triple-A in an effort to right the ship. Chase Anderson was selected from Round Rock in a corresponding move to replenish Texas' bullpen depth.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Works out of bullpen Saturday
Rotowire
Dunning was used in relief in Saturday's 13-5 loss to the Guardians, tossing one inning while allowing one earned run on two hits.
Dunning had started in both of his previous two appearances, but he looks set to operate as a reliever moving forward with the Rangers expected to call up Jack Leiter from Triple-A Round Rock during the upcoming week to serve as a temporary fifth member of the rotation until at least one of Tyler Mahle (shoulder), Jacob deGrom (elbow) or Max Scherzer (shoulder) returns from the injured list. In his last start Monday against the Pirates, Dunning averaged just 88.1 miles per hour with his fastball, and he didn't notice much of a bump in velocity Saturday despite moving to the bullpen. He maxed out at 90.3 mph and failed to generate a swinging strike from any of the four batters he faced.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Removed due to dip in velocity
Rotowire
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that Dunning was removed after four innings in his start during Monday's 4-3 win over the Pirates because he was displaying diminished velocity and spin on his pitches, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
The right-hander averaged just 88.1 miles per hour with his fastball in the outing, which was down nearly two ticks from his season average. Bochy noted that he doesn't think Dunning is dealing with an injury, and the right-hander doesn't appear in line to undergo any testing. Dunning is tentatively slated for a start this weekend in Cleveland, but it's possible those plans could change.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Lasts four frames in no-decision
Rotowire
Dunning did not factor into the decision in Monday's 4-3 win against Pittsburgh, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over four innings. He struck out four.
The Rangers right-hander pitched well through three scoreless innings before unraveling in the fourth, when the Pirates knocked three hits, capped by Jared Triolo a three-run homer. The long ball once again undid Dunning in this start, as he has allowed 13 homers across 68 innings over 14 starts (1.7 HR/9) while yielding just two over 18.1 relief innings (1.0 HR/9). Overall, the 29-year-old has pitched to a 5.00 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 85:39 K:BB this season. Jose Urena picked up the win Thursday in relief while Max Scherzer (shoulder) and Jacob deGrom (elbow) are both rehabbing their injuries, so Dunning's place in the Texas rotation is unsteady. If he remains a starter, the righty lines up to make his next outing against the Guardians on the road this weekend.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Garnering start Monday
Rotowire
Dunning will start Monday's contest against the Pirates.
The choice seemed to come down to Dunning or Jose Urena and the Rangers have opted for the former. Dunning has been deployed as a swingman this season and this will be his second appearance in a row as a starter after he allowed four runs over five frames last week versus the Red Sox. While Dunning could earn additional turns in the rotation, his spot is tenuous with Max Scherzer (shoulder) and Jacob deGrom (elbow) lurking.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: No-decision in Wednesday's start
Rotowire
Dunning came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-7 extra-inning win over the Red Sox, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over five-plus innings. He struck out three.
Making his first start since June 16, Dunning was able to give the Rangers a solid 76 pitches (48 strikes), but he ran out of gas in the sixth inning and got the hook after serving up a Wilyer Abreu solo shot and a Masataka Yoshida single to begin the frame. With Jose Urena struggling and Texas dealing with multiple injuries to starting pitchers, Dunning's performance might have been good enough to keep him in the rotation for at least one more turn, but his 4.92 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 81:38 K:BB through 82.1 innings innings don't inspire a lot of confidence from a fantasy perspective.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Drawing start Wednesday
Rotowire
Dunning will start Wednesday's game in Boston.
Dunning's last eight appearances have all come in relief, although he has been stretched out to more than 60 pitches a couple times over that span. His last appearance came Sunday when he threw two innings against the Yankees, so he likely won't be asked to work deep into Wednesday's outing.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Tosses 28 pitches in relief Sunday
Rotowire
Dunning struck out a batter and worked around two hits and one walk over two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Yankees.
After starting in his first 12 games of the season, Dunning has now made each of his last eight appearances out of the Texas bullpen. He's recorded at least four outs in each of his relief outings and has been able to stay relatively stretched out, as he tossed 61 pitches in an appearance back on Aug. 6 against the Astros. With Nathan Eovaldi (oblique) getting pushed back in the pitching schedule this week, the Rangers will have an opening in the rotation Wednesday in Boston, and Dunning could be part of the pitching plan for that day. However, since he tossed 28 pitches Sunday and would be working on two days' rest, Dunning likely wouldn't be asked to handle a traditional starter's workload if he's called on to pitch Wednesday.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Could make spot start
Rotowire
Dunning is an option to make a spot start Saturday versus the Red Sox, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
McFarland lists Dunning and Cody Bradford as the most logical options to make the start and the decision could hinge on whether either of them are needed in relief Friday. Whoever makes the start is likely to return to the bullpen after, as Tyler Mahle (elbow) is due to return next week. Dunning has made two relief appearances since returning from a shoulder injury last week, allowing four runs over 4.1 innings.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Needed for multiple innings
Rotowire
Dunning allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two over three relief innings in Saturday's 7-3 loss to Toronto.
Dunning made his first appearance after being activated off the 15-day injured list Thursday. The right-hander opened the season as part of the Rangers' rotation but has since been moved to the bullpen. His length as a starter likely means he'll be used as a multi-inning reliever, which will come in handy when a starter doesn't get deep. That was the case Saturday when Michael Lorenzen couldn't get out of the first inning.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Activated from injured list
Rotowire
The Rangers activated Dunning (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.
Dunning has been sidelined for most of this month with a shoulder issue but is ready to go after making two rehab appearances. The right-hander had been moved to the bullpen shortly before getting injured and will fill a multi-inning relief role for Texas now that he's healthy again.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Rehab transferred to Triple-A
Rotowire
Dunning (shoulder) had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.
Dunning has been on the 15-day injured list since July 5 as a result of right shoulder soreness, but he's now one step closer to his return to the big leagues. The right-hander pitched two scoreless innings in his only rehab start with Double-A Frisco on Sunday and it's possible that Dunning will only need one outing with Round Rock before being activated from the IL.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Beginning assignment Sunday
Rotowire
Dunning (shoulder) will pitch in a rehab game at Double-A Frisco on Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
It's unclear whether Dunning will need to pitch in any more games before returning from the injured list, but he is still seemingly on pace to return to the Rangers' bullpen immediately after or shortly after the All-Star break.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Throws live BP
Rotowire
Dunning (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session Wednesday, MLB.com reports.
Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Dunning came out of the session "fine." This is Dunning's second stint on the injured list due to shoulder-related issues. Now that he's been moved to the bullpen, a rehab assignment could be a short one before the right-hander is ready to return.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: To IL with shoulder soreness
Rotowire
The Rangers placed Dunning on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder soreness, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
This is the second shoulder-related IL stint for Dunning, who also missed a couple weeks of action in May. It's not clear at this point how long he might be sidelined this time around. Dunning was demoted to the Rangers' bullpen late last month to accommodate Max Scherzer's return.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Shifting to bullpen
Rotowire
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday that Dunning will move to the bullpen with Max Scherzer (back) set to return Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Across 12 starts this season, Dunning holds a 4-6 record with a 4.73 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 67:29 K:BB across 59 innings, though he's given up 11 runs over his last three starts and has failed to make it to the sixth inning since April 7 against the Astros. Dunning could prove to be more effective out the bullpen in long relief while starting on occasion depending on the Rangers' schedule.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Roughed up in loss
Rotowire
Dunning (4-5) took the loss Tuesday against the Dodgers, allowing six runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings.
Dunning dug the Rangers an early 3-0 hole after surrendering a three-run homer to Will Smith in the first inning. He kept the Dodgers off the board the next two frames but loaded up the bases in the fourth before being replaced by Jonathan Hernandez with two outs. Hernandez gave up a double to Mookie Betts, which plated two runs that were charged to Dunning. He's now given up 14 runs (12 earned) over his last 17 innings and hasn't pitched more than five frames since April 28. The 29-year-old owns a 4.80 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 59:26 K:BB in 54.1 innings and will look to get back on track in a weekend start against Seattle.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Struggles with power
Rotowire
Dunning didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk across five innings against the Tigers. He struck out four.
Dunning couldn't keep the ball in the yard, yielding a two-run home run to Zach McKinstry in the second inning and a solo homer to Riley Greene in the fifth inning for the three runs that went on his ledger. The 29-year-old hasn't completed six innings since his second start of the campaign and owns a 4.09 ERA across 50.2 innings on the year. He's tentatively scheduled for a road matchup with the Dodgers on Wednesday, June 12.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Starting Wednesday's game
Rotowire
Dunning will start Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
He's on turn to start Tuesday's series opener, but Dunning will be pushed back a day with Nathan Eovaldi (groin) returning from the injured list. Dunning threw 74 pitches in his first start back from the IL last week versus the Phillies, so he might not quite be fully stretched out for Wednesday's outing.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Activated for Wednesday's start
Rotowire
The Rangers activated Dunning (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday ahead of his scheduled start against the Phillies.
The right-hander has missed most of this month with a right rotator cuff strain and didn't make a rehab start prior to being activated, so he could be subject to a relatively limited pitch count in his first start since May 4. Dunning enters Wednesday's contest with a 3-2 record, 4.10 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 37.1 innings on the season.
