Ryan Rua optioned, Jose Leclerc recalled

The Texas Rangers have recalled relief pitcher Jose Leclerc from AAA Round Rock, the team announced today. To make room for Leclerc on the 25 man roster, the Rangers have optioned Ryan Rua to AAA Round Rock.

The timing of this is a little odd. Rua had been sent down on Monday, when the Rangers claimed Renato Nunez from the Oakland A’s on waivers. He was immediately recalled on Tuesday due to Jurickson Profar being in the concussion protocol -- the Rangers needed another bench player, so Tony Barnette was put on the 10 day disabled list to allow them to bring Rua back. Profar was in the lineup yesterday, so it appeared that the Rangers were going to carry Rua until Delino DeShields was activated.

Instead, DeShields is DHing for Frisco on a rehab assignment today, and Jose Leclerc is back. If Leclerc was going to be brought back, and the Rangers were returning to a three man bench when Profar was deemed healthy, one would have thought it would have happened yesterday.

Meanwhile, since Rua appeared to be the guy likely to be sent out when DeShields was activated — a move that appears to be made either tomorrow or Monday — his being sent out for Leclerc means there’s a certain amount of mystery about who will lose his roster spot when DeShields is activated. Leclerc could, of course, be sent down, but it is also possible the Rangers will keep Leclerc up until Doug Fister is activated (which could happen Wednesday), which means a position player would go when DeShields is activated. Carlos Tocci, Renato Nunez and Ronald Guzman would seem to be the guys on the bubble, in that case.