Texas Rangers recall Alex Claudio, option Phil Klein

The Texas Rangers have recalled lefthanded pitcher Alex Claudio from AAA Round Rock for today's game, according to John Blake on Twitter.  To make room for him on the 25 man roster, the Rangers have optioned righthander Phil Klein to AAA Round Rock.

A little bit of a surprising move, though with Klein pitching two innings yesterday (albeit with only 21 pitches), I guess the Rangers wanted to get a fresh arm in the pen as a potential long man, with fifth starter A.J. Griffin going today.

We shall have to see how long Claudio sticks in the bullpen...Texas has been using a 3 man bench for the time being, but with the injuries to Shin-Soo Choo and Robinson Chirinos, that bench is even thinner, consisting, essentially, of Ryan Rua, Hanser Alberto and Brett Nicholas.  It wouldn't be surprising if the Rangers looked to add another position player as bench depth in the next few days, or else grabbed a pitcher on waivers to stash in the bullpen as the long man for the time being, allowing them to send Claudio back down.