Texas Rangers activate, option Scott Heineman

Texas Rangers outfielder Scott Heineman was activated from the 60 day injured list and optioned to AAA Nashville, the team announced today. The team’s 40 man roster had been at 39 prior to this move, so no move was necessary to open up a 40 man roster spot.

Heineman was added to the 40 man roster this offseason, so this is his first option. He had offseason surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, which sidelined him into May. He initially began a rehab assignment in late May, but was pulled off that assignment due to shoulder soreness. He went back out on a rehab assignment with the AZL Rangers on June 19, then was transferred to Nashville in June 25. Rehab assignments are limited, for position players, to 20 days, so he was going to have to be activated and optioned in the next week or so regardless.

The 26 year old Heineman is a righthanded hitter who can handle all three defensive positions. He’s considered something of a tweener — not quite good enough with the bat to be a regular at a corner outfield spot, not good enough defensively to play center every day — but he’s someone who could be a bench option in the future.