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The Texas Rangers have announced a series of moves today in conjunction with the September roster expansion.
Most significantly, lefthanded reliever Jake Diekman has been activated from the 60 day disabled list. Diekman has spent the entire year on the d.l. due to surgeries in connection with his ulceritive colitis.
The Rangers have also purchased the contracts of third baseman Will Middlebrooks and catcher A.J. Jimenez. Jimenez will give the Rangers a third catcher, while Middlebrooks will get an opportunity to get some time at third base with Adrian Beltre injured. Finally, the Rangers have recalled pitcher Paolo Espino.
Texas needed to clear three roster spots to make room for Middlebrooks, Diekman and Jimenez on the 40 man roster. The team has designated relief pitchers Joely Rodriguez and Jhan Marinez for assignment to clear two of those spots. No word yet on what the third move will be.
UPDATE — The Rangers have designated left handed pitcher Dario Alvarez for assignment to clear the final 40 man roster spot. This is a mild surprise, as Alvarez has shown flashes at times, but his inability to consistently throw strikes has apparently led Texas to find him expendable.