The Texas Rangers have optioned lefthanded pitcher Robbie Ross to AAA Round Rock. Replacing Ross on the 25 man roster is lefthander Aaron Poreda.

We discussed the possibility that Poreda could replace Ross on the roster after yesterday's game, which saw Ross give up a walk and a homer to the first two batters he faced in what had been a blowout. Ross started off the year in the rotation, and pitched well in his first few starts, but then struggled, resulting in his being put back in the bullpen. Since going to the pen, Ross has allowed opponents a .415/.456/.509 slash line in 57 plate appearances.

Ross, who has a 5.61 ERA and a 4.61 FIP on the season, has never pitched in AAA -- he made the Ranger bullpen in 2012 out of spring training with just 38 innings at AA and no AAA experience. Hopefully Ross, who was a key member of the pen in 2012 and 2013, will be able to get back on track in the PCL.

Poreda has split time between the majors and AAA this season, and offers the Rangers a second lefty in the pen behind Neal Cotts. Jon Daniels apparently said yesterday that Neftali Feliz was not yet ready to come back up, making Poreda the obvious choice here.

UPDATE -- Jeff Wilson tweets on how Ross will be used in AAA: