Texas Rangers option Ryan Rua to clear roster spot for Renato Nunez

Texas Rangers transactions: The Texas Rangers have optioned outfielder Ryan Rua to AAA Round Rock to clear a spot on the 25 man roster for outfielder Renato Nunez, who was claimed on waivers yesterday. We identified Rua as a possible roster casualty when Nunez was claimed yesterday, and as Tepid notes, Nunez’s skill set largely overlaps with Rua’s, as a righthanded hitting corner guy who strikes out a lot.

The Rangers announced at the beginning of the season that Rua would be the regular left fielder and would get consistent playing time, so on the surface, it seems a bit odd that, less than three weeks into the season, Rua is being optioned. However, both Rua and the team as a whole have struggled to start the year off, and with Ronald Guzman getting promoted due to injuries, it appears the Rangers are more inclined to take a look at Guzman at first base and Gallo in left field, at least for the time being.

Nunez will presumably start against lefthanders, and could end up getting a shot at the left field job if and when Guzman gets sent down. Texas will have another roster move to make in a week or so, when Delino DeShields returns, and at that point, the Rangers could look to try to waive and outright Nunez (as the A’s were trying to do), or could send Ronald Guzman down at that point, if they feel like they want to put Gallo back at first base.