Baltimore, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - The Texas Rangers designated pitcher Joe Saunders for assignment Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the struggling lefty was shelled for a third consecutive start.
Saunders served up four home runs and was tagged for seven runs in five innings during Texas' 7-1 loss at Baltimore on Monday, with the effort raising his season earned run average to 6.13.
It marked the third straight outing that Saunders failed to pitch more than five innings, with the veteran surrendering 20 runs -- 17 earned -- and 26 hits over 13 2/3 innings while losing all three of those assignments.
Saunders, who joined the Rangers' injury-depleted rotation in March, went 0-5 in eight overall starts with the team.
Miles Mikolas was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to replace Saunders on the active roster, with the right-hander scheduled to make his first major league start in Wednesday's matchup with the Orioles.
Mikolas has made 27 relief appearances in the big leagues, including two with Texas earlier this season. The 25-year-old has gone 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA in six starts since being inserted into Round Rock's rotation in late May.
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