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Ryan Rua, who has been on the disabled list since July 28 due to back spasms, will start a rehab assignment with the Frisco Roughriders tonight, per an announcement from the Texas Rangers. Rua is expected, per the team, to play five innings in the outfield.
Rua, 28, has spent the season bouncing between AAA Round Rock and the majors. He has a .194/.223/.371 slash line in 132 plate appearances in the majors this season while playing all three outfield positions as well as first base, and a .236/.325/.458 slash line in 83 plate appearances for Round Rock.
Rua will presumably be on the rehab assignment at least through the end of August, and then, unless the team feels he needs another game or two to shake off the rust, will likely be activated once rosters expand on September 1. Rua is out of options after this season, and so the Rangers will be having to make a decision this offseason about whether they want to try to keep him on the 40 man roster, or whether they will look to put him on waivers or non-tender him.