With Jake Burger on the injured list for at least the next week due to a strained quadriceps muscle, the Rangers went off the 40-man roster for a replacement.
According to a person with knowledge of the Rangers’ transactions, they will select the contract of veteran Rowdy Tellez. Jon Heyman initially reported that Tellez would join the Rangers. Tellez has been with Triple-A Round Rock over the last two weeks.
The move gives the Rangers a veteran first baseman, but would also seem to be a bit telling about the club’s belief – or lack thereof – in its own depth. Because the Rangers are only at 39 players on the 40-man roster, they will not need to make a corresponding move.
The Rangers could have selected any of four others who are already on the 40-man roster, including Josh Jung. Jung, Blaine Crim, Justin Foscue and Dustin Harris are all on the 40-man roster and currently playing at Round Rock. They are, however, hitting a composite .224 in the majors this season.
Rangers
Related:Evan Grant’s 10 thoughts on the Texas Rangers: Trade deadline ideas and a murky future
In all likelihood, it means Tellez will play first base against right-handed pitchers with Josh Smith at third base. Against lefties, the Rangers could possibly end up with Ezequiel Duran playing one of the corners and either Smith or Tellez sitting down.
The Rangers are expected to face a pair of lefties in the next week, most notably Detroit’s Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal on Sunday.
Tellez began this season with Seattle, but hit only .208 with a .682 OPS in 185 plate appearances before being released. The .682 OPS is still higher than Adolis GarcÃa (.682), Burger (.659), Kyle Higashioka (.656), Jung (.648) and Jonah Heim (.608), all Rangers with more than 175 plate appearances this season.