The Rangers have made a series of roster moves today, the first day that active rosters can expand to 40 players. The moves:
Adrian Beltre and Andres Blanco have been activated from the disabled list
Infielder Esteban German has had his contract purchased from AAA Round Rock
Righthanded pitcher Merkin Valdez has had his contract purchased from AAA Round Rock
Omar Quintanilla has been outrighted to AAA Round Rock
Pedro Strop has been sent to Baltimore as the player to be named later in the Mike Gonzalez trade
With German and Valdez added and Strop and Quintanilla removed from the 40 man roster, the 40 man stays full at 40.
German was a September callup last year, and will provide the Rangers with insurance at second base and third base while also providing Ron Washington with a pinch runner late in games.
Valdez is a former top prospect (BA's #40 in 2004, #58 in 2005) who joined the Round Rock staff after opting out of his minor league deal with the Dodgers. He had a 2.35 ERA in 15.1 innings for the Express.