Tanner Scheppers Receives $1.25 Million

It’s been a busy day here at the Corner so I haven’t had time to digest all the theories on the Rangers’ demise, but I will and we’ll try to get this all figured out by Friday morning. In the meantime,I bring you a few tidbits about RHP Tanner Scheppers, the 44th overall pick in the draft, who signed today for a $1.25 million bonus.

• According to the Rangers and Scheppers, the tear in his rotator cuff has healed. Scheppers said his tear was originally misdiagnosed as a stress fracture while he was at Fresno State in 2008. Two physical exams this year, including one before the Rangers selected him, have indicated the tear has healed thanks to a rehab and maintenance program. GM Jon Daniels said Rangers officials were comfortable with what they found out about Scheppers shoulder. Scheppers took the uncommon step of submitting to a pre-draft physical, then took another on Tuesday. The images from MRIs showed no significant changes to the structure of the shoulder.

• Scheppers has signed a 2010 minor league contract, which means he won’t have to be placed on the 40-man roster until after the 2013 season. He will go to Arizona immediately and work out with the instructional league club and then will take the open fall league spot the Rangers had been saving for him.

• Scheppers bonus of $1.25 million may be less than what he was seeking in 2008, but it is still about $500,000 more than the recommended slot for his spot. The 42nd overall pick received $802,000 and the 45th received $725,000.