Clayton Blackburn optioned, A.J. Griffin activated

The Texas Rangers announced that they had optioned pitcher Clayton Blackburn to AAA Round Rock last night. Blackburn had been recalled earlier this week after Yu Darvish and Jeremy Jeffress were traded, opening up spots on the 25 man roster.

Blackburn’s spot on the 25 man roster will be filled by A.J. Griffin, who is being activated from the 60 day disabled list today. Griffin, who is starting tonight for the Rangers, was placed on the disabled list with an oblique strain. No move is needed to create a 40 man roster spot for Griffin, as the 40 man was not full, and now stands at 37 with Griffin’s activation.

The Rangers will spend the next couple of months with Griffin in the rotation, if he stays healthy, and determining whether they feel comfortable penciling him into a 2018 rotation that currently consists of Cole Hamels, Martin Perez, and a bunch of question marks.

Blackburn, sadly, did not get into a game while he was up, and thus still has not made his major league debut.