Texas Rangers rumors: Joey Gallo, Josh Hamilton among those returning when rosters expand

Texas Rangers rumors:  Joey Gallo and Josh Hamilton are expected to be part of a group of players who will be added to the Texas Rangers active roster when rosters expand tomorrow, per the beat guys on Twitter.

Per Evan Grant, Josh Hamilton and Carlos Corporan will be activated from the disabled list, while Joey Gallo and Luke Jackson will be recalled from AAA Round Rock, and Ross Ohlendorf and Drew Stubbs will have their contracts purchased from AAA Round Rock.

Ohlendorf and Stubbs are not currently on the 40 man roster, so spots will have to be cleared for them.  With Robinson Chirinos starting a rehab assignment today and apparently on track to be activated as soon as this weekend, the Rangers could opt to drop one of their extra catchers, either Bobby Wilson or Chris Gimenez (most likely Wilson), to clear a spot.  Another spot would seem likely to be cleared by recalling a player currently in the minors and putting him on the 60 day disabled list -- Alex Claudio was just placed on the AAA d.l., and so he would seem to be a likely candidate.  Leonys Martin, who underwent surgery on his hand, is another candidate, although he has indicated that he hopes to return in September.

Hamilton is apparently going to be limited to just pinch-hitting duties for the time being.  Gallo is also likely going to be used primarily as a pinch hitter, though he could also get some time at the four corner spots.  Ohlendorf and Jackson give the Rangers bullpen depth, and Stubbs offers the Rangers a late inning option as a pinch runner or defensively replacement, as well as being another righthanded bat for the outfield.