Texas Rangers Announce Several Roster Moves

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com – Arlington, Texas – The Texas Rangers announced the following roster moves ahead of tonight’s homestand opener against the Minnesota Twins:
 
Recalled catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (#25) from Triple-A Oklahoma
Reinstated left-handed pitcher Eddie Guardado off the 15-day disabled list
Placed right-handed pitcher Luis Mendoza on 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 24 (right shoulder inflammation)
Released catcher Adam Melhuse
 
“Adam's been the consumate pro for us the last two years,” Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels said of Melhuse.  “It's just unfortunate timing.  With our desire to play some of our better young players, there probably won't be a spot for him when his hand heals.  This gives him the best chance to catch on elsewhere.”

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Saltalamacchia, who will turn 23 on May 2, has batted .291 with 2 home runs and 13 RBI in 15 games for Oklahoma this season.  The switch-hitter had 5 multi-hit games in the Pacific Coast League, batting .462 (6-13) against left-handed pitchers and .238 (10-42) versus right-handed pitchers.  All of his at-bats came as a catcher.
 
Acquired in a July 31 trade with Atlanta, Saltalamacchia competed for the Rangers’ starting job behind the plate this spring.  He made his major league debut last year, combining to hit .266 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI in 93 games for the Braves and Rangers.  Once rated the top prospect in the Atlanta system by Baseball America, he will be in uniform for tonight’s game against Minnesota.
 
Guardado, 37, was placed on the disabled list April 12 (retroactive to April 6) with left shoulder soreness.  He threw multiple bullpen sessions during the club’s recent road trip, and will be available in the bullpen for tonight’s game.  Guardado has thrown 1.1 scoreless innings over 2 appearances with Texas this season, last pitching on April 4 at LA of Anaheim.  He recorded the final out in the Rangers’ 11-6 win in that contest.
 
Mendoza has gone 0-2 with a 9.31 (10 ER/9.2 IP) in 3 games/starts for Texas this season.  He pitched 1.2 innings in his last start on Wednesday at Detroit.  Mendoza opened the season on the 15-day disabled list with a blister on his right middle finger.  He was named the club’s 5th starter out of spring training.
 
Melhuse went 0-for-4 in a start behind the plate yesterday and has batted .200 (4-20) with an RBI in 8 games for Texas this season.  He made the Opening Day roster as a non-roster invitee to spring training, the 5th consecutive season he has been on a team’s season-opening roster.
 
With these moves, the Rangers now have 39 players on the club’s 40-man roster.
 

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