Dunning will start Monday's contest against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

The choice seemed to come down to Dunning or Jose Urena and the Rangers have opted for the former. Dunning has been deployed as a swingman this season and this will be his second appearance in a row as a starter after he allowed four runs over five frames last week versus the Red Sox. While Dunning could earn additional turns in the rotation, his spot is tenuous with Max Scherzer (shoulder) and Jacob deGrom (elbow) lurking.

Dunning came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-7 extra-inning win over the Red Sox, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over five-plus innings. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Making his first start since June 16, Dunning was able to give the Rangers a solid 76 pitches (48 strikes), but he ran out of gas in the sixth inning and got the hook after serving up a Wilyer Abreu solo shot and a Masataka Yoshida single to begin the frame. With Jose Urena struggling and Texas dealing with multiple injuries to starting pitchers, Dunning's performance might have been good enough to keep him in the rotation for at least one more turn, but his 4.92 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 81:38 K:BB through 82.1 innings innings don't inspire a lot of confidence from a fantasy perspective.

Dunning will start Wednesday's game in Boston.

EDGE Analysis

Dunning's last eight appearances have all come in relief, although he has been stretched out to more than 60 pitches a couple times over that span. His last appearance came Sunday when he threw two innings against the Yankees, so he likely won't be asked to work deep into Wednesday's outing.

Dunning struck out a batter and worked around two hits and one walk over two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

After starting in his first 12 games of the season, Dunning has now made each of his last eight appearances out of the Texas bullpen. He's recorded at least four outs in each of his relief outings and has been able to stay relatively stretched out, as he tossed 61 pitches in an appearance back on Aug. 6 against the Astros. With Nathan Eovaldi (oblique) getting pushed back in the pitching schedule this week, the Rangers will have an opening in the rotation Wednesday in Boston, and Dunning could be part of the pitching plan for that day. However, since he tossed 28 pitches Sunday and would be working on two days' rest, Dunning likely wouldn't be asked to handle a traditional starter's workload if he's called on to pitch Wednesday.

Dunning is an option to make a spot start Saturday versus the Red Sox, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland lists Dunning and Cody Bradford as the most logical options to make the start and the decision could hinge on whether either of them are needed in relief Friday. Whoever makes the start is likely to return to the bullpen after, as Tyler Mahle (elbow) is due to return next week. Dunning has made two relief appearances since returning from a shoulder injury last week, allowing four runs over 4.1 innings.

Dunning allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two over three relief innings in Saturday's 7-3 loss to Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

Dunning made his first appearance after being activated off the 15-day injured list Thursday. The right-hander opened the season as part of the Rangers' rotation but has since been moved to the bullpen. His length as a starter likely means he'll be used as a multi-inning reliever, which will come in handy when a starter doesn't get deep. That was the case Saturday when Michael Lorenzen couldn't get out of the first inning.

The Rangers activated Dunning (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Dunning has been sidelined for most of this month with a shoulder issue but is ready to go after making two rehab appearances. The right-hander had been moved to the bullpen shortly before getting injured and will fill a multi-inning relief role for Texas now that he's healthy again.

Dunning (shoulder) had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Dunning has been on the 15-day injured list since July 5 as a result of right shoulder soreness, but he's now one step closer to his return to the big leagues. The right-hander pitched two scoreless innings in his only rehab start with Double-A Frisco on Sunday and it's possible that Dunning will only need one outing with Round Rock before being activated from the IL.

Dunning (shoulder) recorded no strikeouts and gave up one hit and no walks over two scoreless innings in his rehab start Sunday with Double-A Frisco.

EDGE Analysis

Dunning exited the contest after throwing just 18 pitches (13 strikes), but the Rangers had been targeting him for around 35 pitches heading into the rehab outing, per MLB.com. Despite not striking out a batter, Dunning was efficient during his brief time on the mound, with the lone hit he allowed being an infield single. He may have been able to build up his pitch count through a bullpen session after he exited the contest, and assuming he avoided any setbacks with the right shoulder in the rehab start, he's expected to be ready to return from the 15-day injured list shortly after the All-Star break, per Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com. Dunning has made 12 of his 15 appearances this season as a starter, but he's in line to serve as a multi-inning reliever upon coming off the IL.

Dunning (shoulder) will pitch in a rehab game at Double-A Frisco on Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear whether Dunning will need to pitch in any more games before returning from the injured list, but he is still seemingly on pace to return to the Rangers' bullpen immediately after or shortly after the All-Star break.