Texas Rangers transactions: Ricky Rodriguez optioned to AAA Round Rock

Texas Rangers transactions: Ricky Rodriguez has been optioned to AAA Round Rock, the Texas Rangers announced today. The righthanded relief pitcher was called up on June 18 and was active for the three game series against the Kansas City Royals, but didn’t get into a game.

The Rangers announced that a corresponding 25 man roster move would be announced tomorrow. That move is almost certainly going to be activating relief pitcher Chris Martin from the disabled list. Martin was put on the disabled list retroactive to June 12 for his injured lower body part after hurting himself banging into the bullpen fence running onto the field in the midst of that Robinson Chirinos/Matt Kemp drama, and he is not eligible to be activated until June 22.

So why send Rodriguez down now, rather than waiting until tomorrow? One, it gets Rodriguez, who hasn’t pitched since June 11, back on a roster more quickly, which allows him to back into game action more quickly. And secondly, Rodriguez can’t be recalled for at least 10 days after being optioned, unless a player goes on the disabled list. Sending him down now rather than waiting until tomorrow allows the Rangers to call him up a day earlier than they would otherwise, should they choose.