SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Andrew Faulkner's bid to make the opening day roster for the second straight season came to a quick end Monday.

Faulkner, 24, was among the first round of cuts the Rangers made. He was optioned to minor league camp with four weeks still to go before opening day. He was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock along with fellow pitching prospects Connor Sadzeck and Yohander Mendez. Pitchers Adam Loewen, Ariel Jurado and Jose Valdespina, in camp as non-roster invitees, were assigned to the minor league camp.

While the others were all expected to be among the first cuts, Faulkner had been considered a top contender for a spot in the bullpen -- if the Rangers carried a second left-hander behind Alex Claudio. Jake Diekman is out for at least the first half of the year, leaving Faulkner, Dario Alvarez, Wesley Wright and Loewen as options. Faulkner had appeared in two exhibitions, allowing a walk in one total inning.

A one-time starter, he will continue to work as a reliever, assistant general manager Josh Boyd said. Boyd also said Sadzeck, who many scouts see as a potential back-of-the-bullpen reliever, will continue to work as a starter.

Faulkner had a strong spring last year, compiling a 0.82 ERA through March before a rough final outing. He struggled to throw strikes and was optioned before the end of the first month after allowing three walks and three homers in 4.1 innings. He returned in May for three more outings, allowing three hits and a walk.