Martin Perez activated, Jose Leclerc optioned, Thursday Texas Rangers lineup up

The Texas Rangers have activated Martin Perez from the 10 day disabled list today, and he is, as expected, in the starting lineup today as the Rangers’ starting pitcher against Oakland. To make room for Perez on the active roster, the Rangers have optioned relief pitcher Jose Leclerc to AAA Round Rock.

Perez, who turned 27 earlier this week, was on the disabled list due to a fractured right elbow suffered this offseason. Since Perez is a lefthanded pitcher, this issue wasn’t as bad as it could have been, though initial estimates were that Perez would miss the first month of the season. He was shooting to be ready to go to start the year on the active roster, but Texas opted to have him make a rehab start last week instead.

On the merits of his performance, Leclerc didn’t deserve to be sent down — while he struggled badly in the second half of 2017, he’s been great this spring and in the first week of the season. However, he has options remaining, and in order to keep both Jesse Chavez and Bartolo Colon in the organization for depth purposes, he’s the odd man out for now. Given that injuries inevitably strike, I have no doubt Leclerc will be back in the majors at some point in the next couple of months.

Meanwhile, here is your Rangers’ lineup for today’s afternoon game against Oakland:

Choo -- DH

Gallo — 1B

Elvis -- SS

Beltre — 3B

Mazara — RF

Odor — 2B

Rua — LF

Robinson -- CF

Centeno -- C