Botts Designated

Evan Grant’s words:

“The Rangers this afternoon, perhaps momentarily, will announce that Jason Botts has been designated for assignment and that Chris Shelton's contract will be purchased. The club is desperate for another productive right-handed bat in the lineup and Botts simply hasn't taken advantage of whatever limited opportunities he's been given. He is hitting .158 in 38 at-bats. The move will give the Rangers 10 days to trade, release or outright Botts to Triple-A. If he clears waivers, the Rangers absolutely want to keep him in the system, but with the season hanging on the edge of a cliff, the Rangers need somebody with a little bit of a track record of big league success against right-handers. I don't know if Shelton will play every day at first, but I'm pretty certain that at the very least, but it won't surprise me.

“Brandon Boggs is expected to be called up to replace Hank Blalock, but to get Shelton on the roster, the Rangers had to take somebody off the 40-man roster. It appears, Botts is the guy. His career with the Rangers, which began in 2000 as a 46th round draft choice, is now more in limbo than ever before.”

-- Jamey