Nomar Mazara’s return will be next week

Texas Rangers outfielder Nomar Mazara, who has been on the disabled list since the All Star Break with a sprained thumb, and who is currently on a rehab assignment with Round Rock, will not be activated from the disabled list until Monday at the earliest, according to the beat guys on Twitter. Evan Grant suggested on Twitter that, with a two game series against Arizona starting Monday, then an off day on Wednesday, Mazara may not be activated until Thursday of next week.

Delino DeShields is expected to be activated from the disabled list tomorrow, and Drew Robinson will likely be sent down to make room for him on the roster, but a tougher decision will have to be made when Mazara is activated. In his absence, Willie Calhoun has been getting regular playing time, but with Mazara returning there will be more lefty-swinging corner/DH-types than there are spots for them all, meaning that Calhoun or Ronald Guzman will likely be sent down, barring an injury. The Rangers could send down a pitcher, but that still means that they would be juggling playing time among a number of similar players, so it seems more likely a position player goes down until rosters expand.

Mazara isn’t the only outfielder who could be activated from the d.l. in time to play in the Rangers/Angels game on Thursday. Mike Trout, who hasn’t played since August 1, and who is currently in the d.l. with a wrist problem, is also eligible to be activated on Thursday, and thus could make his return against the Rangers.