Nomar Mazara, Chris Tillman to play for Round Rock Thursday

The Texas Rangers are sending Nomar Mazara on a rehab assignment with the Round Rock Express beginning on Thursday, the team announced today. Mazara is currently on the 10 day disabled list with a sprained thumb, having been placed on there on July 20. He will presumably be on the rehab assignment for a few days, but will likely be activated either this weekend or on Monday.

In addition, newly signed pitcher Chris Tillman is slated to start for Round Rock tomorrow as well, the team announced. Tillman and Austin Bibens-Dirkx will work as tandem or “piggy back” starters in the game. Tillman is not on the 40 man roster currently.

Finally, Delino DeShields is traveling to the team to New York, where the Rangers start a series against the Yankees tomorrow, according to Jeff Wilson. DeShields is eligible to be activated from the d.l. on Friday, per Wilson, and it sounds like there’s a good chance he will be activated.

The Rangers will have a decision to make once both DeShields and Mazara return. Drew Robinson will presumably get sent down to clear a space for DeShields, but once Mazara is activated, one would assume that either Willie Calhoun or Ronald Guzman will go back to AAA, barring an injury or the Rangers deciding they are ready to cut ties with Carlos Tocci (which, at this stage of the season, seems very unlikely).