Bird to the i.l., Rodriguez activated

Texas Rangers transactions: Joely Rodriguez has been activated from the 10 day injured list, the team announced today. To make room for Rodriguez on the active roster, the Rangers have placed first baseman Greg Bird on the injured list with a right calf strain.

Rodriguez, a lefthanded relief pitcher, was signed by the Rangers this offseason to a two year, $5.5 million deal with a team option for 2022, after Rodriguez had success pitching in Japan over the previous year and a half. Rodriguez suffered a strained lat in the spring, however, and was still working his way back from that injury when summer camp started. He will likely be the primary lefty setup man going forward.

Bird, meanwhile, was added to the active roster last week, but never got into a game before landing on the injured list.

The Rangers will have to drop down to a 28 man roster on Thursday, so two more moves will need to be made. Rougned Odor is a candidate to go to the injured list with the oblique strain that has him out of the lineup. The Rangers could also opt to go to two catchers and option Jose Trevino, or send down one of their extra righty relievers, like Jimmy Herget.