Leonys Martin optioned, Ryan Strausborger up

Leonys Martin, the Rangers' opening day centerfielder who has been relegated to a defensive replacement role of late due to the emergence of Delino DeShields, has been optioned to AAA Round Rock, per John Blake on Twitter.  Replacing Leonys on the active roster is Ryan Strausburger, whose contract has been purchased.

This is a surprising move, although I suspect the Rangers want to give Leonys the opportunity to get regular playing time for a while to see if they can get him out of what has been a season-long slump.  The Rangers also have some decisions to make in regards to their outfield this offseason, including whether Leonys is still an option as the regular center fielder, something that would mean DeShields could move to left field, where he's a better fit, defensively.  Leonys getting regular playing time and a chance to get going again would theoretically give the Rangers a better read on his future.

Strausborger, 27, is a righthanded hitting outfielder who has played all three outfield positions for Round Rock, though he has primarily been a right fielder.  His promotion gives the Rangers a backup center field option while Leonys is off the roster, though I'd be surprised if Strausborger got significant playing time.  He has a .278/.329/.438 line in AAA this year.

In addition, the Rangers have announced they have requested release waivers on Wandy Rodriguez.