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The Texas Rangers have activated Delino DeShields from the 10 day disabled list today, as he beats the 4-6 week estimate that was initially given for his timetable for returning from a broken hamate bone in his hand, which required surgery. DeShields was out on a rehab assignment for Frisco from Thursday through Saturday, and be all accounts looks ready to go.
To make room for DeShields on the active roster, the Rangers have placed outfielder Carlos Tocci on the disabled list with a bruised left hip. Tocci, a Rule 5 pick from the Phillies organization, has impressed with his defense so far, but as expected, he’s not major league ready with the bat. The Rangers can’t send him to the minors on an optional or outright assignment unless he clears waivers and is offered back to Philly, which hamstrings them from a roster management standpoint. So instead, the Rangers are buying some time for the time being by putting Tocci on the d.l., which will give them the luxury of sending him to the minors on what I expect will be a lengthy rehab assignment (a position player can spend up to 20 days on a rehab assignment to the minors) before making a decision on whether to keep him around.
That means that both Renato Nunez and Ronald Guzman are safe for the time being. I expect the pair will end up in a de facto platoon, with Nunez playing mostly against lefties and Guzman mostly against righties, although Guzman is sitting today in favor of Nunez against a righthander for the M’s. This also means that Drew Robinson is effectively both the backup centerfielder and the backup middle infielder right now.
The Rangers will have another decision to make in regards to their position players when Rougned Odor returns to action, which appears to be a couple of weeks away.
Anyway, here’s today’s lineup:
DeShields — CF
Choo -- DH
Mazara — RF
Beltre — 3B
Gallo -- 1B
Profar -- SS
Kiner-Falefa — 2B
Nunez — LF
Centeno -- C
Martin Perez is on the mound for Texas, facing off against Erasmo Ramirez for the M’s.