Rangers' Spencer Patton: Optioned to Triple-A

Patton was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Patton was mentioned in the closer conversation in late March but won't even have a roster spot to begin the year, let alone the chance to earn saves. Patton should return to the roster eventually, as he recorded a 3.838 ERA and a 27.9 percent strikeout rate last season, but the Rangers apparently don't view him as an important piece of their bullpen.