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• OF Nelson Cruz placed on restricted list, after 50 game suspension for PED use
• SS Adam Rosales designated for assignment
• OF Engel Beltre recalled from AAA
• RF Joey Butler purchased from AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Well, Nelson Cruz was suspended 50 games for PED use.  Can’t say I’m thrilled about that, because his bat was working well this year.  It might improve our RF defense a bit, but there’s no doubt his offense will be missed.   Adam Rosales, who we just got a couple of days ago from the A’s was DFA’ed.  He ended up being claimed back by the A’s on waivers a day after this, which is hilarious to me.   Engel Beltre is back, and we purchased Joey Butler, who is looking to make his major league debut.    This move definitely skews our roster younger by their corresponding moves.

• SS Adam Rosales claimed on waivers from Oakland A’s
• OF Engel Beltre optioned to AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Uh, OK.   Not sure I get this one, but there you are.   Neftali Feliz & Michael Kirkman were sent out on rehab assignments, too.  That’s more interesting to me than the technical roster move here.

• P Alexi Ogando activated from 15 day DL
• P Matt Garza activated
• P Cory Burns optioned to AAA
• P Smokin’ Joe Ortiz optioned to AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Well, Alexi Ogando comes back, and I’ve pretty much lost faith in him as a starter at this point.  I really wish we’d just stop messing around, put him in the bullpen where he was significantly better, and look for an answer elsewhere.    We also activated Garza formally this day, so some of the “movable pieces” like Burns & Ortiz were on the road back to Round Rock.   Which is much closer to Driftwood, TX and the Salt Lick, so it’s not all bad for them.  :)

• P Yu Darvish activated from 15 day DL
• P Matt Garza acquired from Cubs via trade for CJ Edwards, Justin Grimm, Mike Olt, & 1/2 PTBNL’s [ Link ]

NOTES:  Well, Darvish is back from his “fake” stint on the DL.   However, the bigger news is that the Rangers got Matt Garza from the Chicago Cubs for what seems to be a hefty price for a rental player.  CJ Edwards I don’t know much about, but Justin Grimm & Mike Olt are both names.  Olt has had his stock drop a little this year, but last year, he was at the same level as “untouchable” as Jurickson Profar.   To me, his inclusion is HUGE.   Although it could be Justin Smoak again, big name, never fulfilled it.   Justin Grimm I have a love/hate with.  Sometimes I think he’s awesome, other times, get him out of here.  I don’t dislike the guy, but his performances weren’t consistent enough for me.   It would be nice if we could work it so Garza stayed here, but for now, he’s just here for the playoff run, so we’ll see how that goes first before addressing the truckloads of $ it will take to keep him later.

• P Wilmer Font optioned to AAA
• C Robinson Chirinos optioned to AAA
• IF/OF Jeff Baker activated from DL
• OF Craig Gentry activated from DL [ Link ]

NOTES: No real surprises here, except possibly that we switched out a pitcher for a position player.   We sent down one of each, and activated two position players.  Hopefully Baker can pick up where he left off, he was doing quite well when he got hurt.  Font was pretty much here to hold a roster spot while Darvish was “on the DL” over the All Star break.

• P Yu Darvish placed on 15 day DL (retro to July 7)
• P Josh Lindblom optioned to AAA
• P Smokin’ Joe Ortiz recalled from AAA
• P Wilmer Font recalled from AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Much is made of Darvish being on the DL, completing the “Opening Day Starting Rotation on the DL all at the same time” list.   However, this is more about giving him a rest in the middle of the season.   Couple the DL assignment with a retroactive date, plus the All-Star game in the middle of it, and it effectively amounts to him just missing a single start.  I don’t think there’s anything major here, and the official DL designation (right trapezius strain) sounds like one of those made up things.    Wilmer Font adds to the list of pitchers we’ve used this year, which is really high.

• P Joaquim Soria reinstated from 60 day DL
• P Cory Burns recalled from AAA
• DH Lance Berkman placed on 15 day DL
• P Nick Tepesch placed on 15 day DL [ Link ]

NOTES:  The only real comment I have here is about Soria.  When they signed him, I thought he was an underrated sign.  If he comes anywhere where he was at his peak with Kansas City, he’ll be huge.   Question is how will he fare now that he’s back?  Probably need a few weeks to determine that.    Tepesch on the DL means we have our entire starting rotation on the DL at the same time, I believe.   We’re still in the thick of it.  Testament to the rest of the guys pitching behind the original five, that’s for sure.

• OF/DH Manny Ramirez signed to a 1 year contract and assigned to AAA [ Link ]

NOTES:  Normally I don’t report transactions on minor league signings with no corresponding major league move, because there’s a ton of them.  This one, however is not your garden variety minor league signing.   If you’re reading this page, you know Manny Ramirez.   I know a lot of people are bent out of shape for bringing him in.   It *IS* a bit of an eyebrow raiser, but I don’t object to it.   I’m kind of “meh” about the whole thing.   The Rangers are not bringing him up just for the show of having his name attached to the club.   If he does make it to the majors (which I’m not convinced of), then he will have earned it.   The way our offense is sputtering, we could use it – assuming he can actually still hit.