Adrian Beltre, Keone Kela activated, Willie Calhoun up, Tyson Ross released

The Texas Rangers have purchased the contract of Willie Calhoun, in a move that was expected to come today based on earlier reports. The Rangers have also activated Adrian Beltre from the 10 day d.l. — a move that I think was not expected, but that doesn’t impact the 40 man roster. To make room for Calhoun on the 40 man roster, the Rangers have released pitcher Tyson Ross.

We wrote about Calhoun earlier today, and he’s in left field and hitting 7th today. A suspect he will get at least semi-regular playing time in left field and at DH for at least the next week to ten days.

Beltre was only placed on the d.l. as a procedural move to allow the Rangers to bring Nick Gardewine up from the minors less than 10 days after being optioned, and so his being activated isn’t necessarily meaningful. He could theoretically pinch hit or something, but he isn’t in the lineup today, and it isn’t clear when he may be in the lineup again (if at all).

The release of Ross is disappointing, if not surprising. Signed to a one year, $6 million deal after missing virtually all of last season due to a shoulder injury and then Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery, Ross started the year on the d.l., was activated after several unimpressive rehab starts in the minors, and was ultimately not able to perform at an acceptable level in the big leagues this year. Ross had a 7.71 ERA and a 6.17 FIP in 49 IP over 12 games (10 starts), with 37 walks against 36 strikeouts. Quite simply, Ross’s velocity wasn’t the same after his injuries, and he was a shell of his old self. The Rangers rolled the dice in the hopes that Ross might bounce back, and it didn’t work out.

UPDATE — Keone Kela has also been activated.