Phil Klein Promoted to Big Leagues

August 1, 2014 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Texas Rangers announced Friday that they have purchases the contract of RHP Phil Klein from the Round Rock Express. Klein, a native of northern Ohio, will be in uniform and looking to make his major league debut Friday as the Rangers take on the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

Klein began the season with Double-A Frisco before being promoted to Round Rock at the end of June. In nine relief appearances for Round Rock, the 6'7" right-hander did not surrender a single run, allowing just seven hits and striking out 28 over 18.1 innings. While with the Express, he held opposing hitters to a minute .119 average against.

Klein pitched in 24 games for Frisco prior to his promotion, going 3-0 a 0.81 ERA (3 ER/33.1 IP) and 42 strikeouts. In May, he earned Rangers Minor League Reliever of the Month accolades after recording six saves, a 0.71 ERA (1 ER/12.2 IP) and 14 strikeouts. In 51.2 total innings this season, Klein has yet to allow an extra-base hit.

The 25-year old Columbus, Ohio native was selected by Texas in the 30th round of the 2011 first-year player draft. In four years at Youngstown State, he struck out 258 over 252.0 innings pitched.

Texas also announced Friday that C Geovany Soto will return to Round Rock for his second rehab stint with the club on Friday.

Soto, 31, who started the season on the disabled list after having knee surgery in March, landed back on the DL last week just three games into his season. The Rangers catcher accumulated four hits in 11 at-bats before suffering a right groin strain while running the bases against the New York Yankees on July 21.

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