Rangers Purchase Contract of RHP Jon Edwards; Option LHP Robbie Ross Jr. to Round Rock

Arlington, Texas - The Texas Rangers announced this afternoon that the club has purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Jon Edwards (#62) from Triple-A Round Rock. To make room for Edwards on the active roster, the club has optioned left-handed pitcher Robbie Ross Jr. to Round Rock.

Edwards, 26, has combined to go 2-3 with a 4.41 ERA (24 ER/49.0 IP) and 62 strikeouts over 34 relief appearances between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock. The Keller (TX) High School product was promoted to Round Rock on July 2. Overall at Double- and Triple-A beginning May 22, he has compiled a 2.27 ERA (8 ER/32.1 IP) with 38 strikeouts against 13 walks over 22 relief appearances. He has averaged 11.1 strikeouts per 9 innings and held opponents to a .209 average over three seasons in the Texas organization.

Edwards was originally drafted by the St. Louis organization as an outfielder in the 14th round of the 2006 June draft and spent five seasons in the Cardinals system. He split the 2011 campaign in independent leagues, playing for the San Angelo Colts in the North American League and Alpine of the Pecos League. He made a pair of relief appearances with Alpine at the end of that 2011 season and signed a minor league contract with the Rangers on December 20, 2011. He was signed by current Rangers area scout Bobby Crook.

Ross Jr. was recalled yesterday and took the loss in last night's start against Tampa Bay (4.1 IP, 6 R-ER). He was also with the club from Opening Day-June 16 and has an overall 2-5 record with a 6.06 ERA (44 ER/65.1 IP) in 19 games/10 starts for the Rangers this season.

With the addition of Edwards, the Rangers now have a full 40-man roster.