Elvis Andrus activated, Delino DeShields optioned

Texas Rangers transactions: Elvis Andrus has been officially activated from the 10 day injured list, the team announced today. He takes the place of Delino DeShields on the active roster — DeShields was optioned to AAA Nashville after last night’s game.

Both moves were, I think, pretty well expected. Elvis played in rehab games with Frisco on Tuesday and Wednesday, and today was the first day he was eligible to be activated from the i.l. Had the injury happened to Elvis in 2020, when there will be 26 man rosters that will be required to have no fewer than 13 position players, he likely wouldn’t have even gone on the injured list. However, given the lack of positional flexibility with the players who are on the Rangers bench, Texas couldn’t afford to be shorthanded while Elvis gave his tight quad a chance to rest.

Delino had been called up to replace Willie Calhoun, who was called up to take Elvis’s place, and then went on the i.l. himself earlier this week with a leg injury.