Rangers add six, DFA two as roster expand

Texas Rangers transactions: Nomar Mazara and Ronald Guzman are back on the active roster, with Mazara being activated from the injured list today and Ronald Guzman being recalled from AAA Nashville on the first day that rosters expand from 25 to 40.

In addition, the Rangers recalled Ian Gibaut from AAA Nashville, activated Adrian Sampson from the 10 day injured list, and activated Edinson Volquez and Jeffrey Springs from the 60 day injured list. To make room on the roster for Volquez and Springs, the Rangers have designated Pedro Payano and Locke St. John for assignment.

Mazara and Guzman are not in the lineup today against the lefty, but Guzman is reportedly going to be getting most of the starts at first base the rest of the way, and Mazara, who may be a day or two away from being quite ready to be back in the lineup, figures to get significant playing time in the outfield. Gibaut, Springs, Sampson and Volquez give the Rangers bullpen depth, with Volquez aiming to pitch a few innings this month before retiring at season’s end.

The Rangers will place Payano and St. John on waivers. Payano, a righthanded pitcher who was originally signed by the Rangers and was re-signed by them after 2018 when he was a minor league free agent, had a nice 2019 campaign that saw him make his major league debut, but appears to be at best an up-and-down guy right now. I would guess he clears waivers and becomes a free agent. St. John, a lefty reliever, can be outrighted if he clears waivers, and would not be eligible to become a free agent until after 2020.