Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara, Jurickson Profar optioned to AAA

The Texas Rangers have optioned Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara and Jurickson Profar to AAA Round Rock today.  In addition, Texas has assigned non-roster invitees Lewis Brinson, Drew Robinson and Ryan Cordell to the minor league camp.

No big surprises here...none of the six were expected to big a candidate for the major league roster barring a rash of injuries, particularly once Ian Desmond was signed.  All Five of the six players will likely start the season in AAA Round Rock, although it is possible Brinson and Robinson could be in AA Frisco at the start of the year.  (Ed. Note -- Overlooked Cordell -- he will likely start in AA)

If all goes to plan, all six players will be in the minors for a while, at least through the All Star Break, since that would mean that the current starting position players are staying healthy and performing well.  Mazara is probably first in line to get a call-up should the team need a fill-in starting outfielder, as he has impressed folks this camp with his bat and his approach.  Gallo has had a strong spring, but after last year's experience in the majors, the team no doubt would like him to mash in AAA for a while and have success against more experienced pitchers than he saw in AA before bringing him back.

Profar, meanwhile, is the wild card...he's missed two seasons, and so needs some time to shake off the rust and get used to playing every day.  If he performs well in AAA, however, he could force himself into the mix at the major league level at some point this summer, either as a utility guy, or as an injury replacement should an infield regular go down.