Drew Stubbs signed, Alex Claudio optioned

The Texas Rangers have signed Drew Stubbs, a free agent outfielder, to a major league deal.  To make room for him on the 25 man roster, the Rangers have optioned pitcher Alex Claudio.  To make room for Stubbs on the 40 man roster, the Rangers have transferred Josh Hamilton to the 60 day disabled list.

I think this move is a byproduct of issues with Delino DeShields as well as Hamilton.  Hamilton has no timetable to return to a rehab assignment, after a sore knee cut his last rehab assignment after four in is.  Meanwhile, DeShields has been struggling mightily this year, and there have been discussions about e possibility of him being optioned.

Stubbs gives the Rangers a backup center field option that would allow DeShields to go down, and with Hamilton not appearing to be an option on the major league roster in the foreseeable future, there's not an issue with Stubbs being added just to be bumped in short order by Hamilton's return.

One would assume that DeShields is likely to be sent down when Shin-Soo Choo is activated in a little over a week, if not sooner should the Rangers need an extra bullpen arm, and Texas will be using a four man bench going forward.