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• 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.

• P Kyle McClellan designated for assignment
• P Josh Lindblom recalled from AAA

NOTES:  Trading one “meh” for another.

• OF Craig Gentry placed on 15 day DL, retro to Jun 21
• OF Engel Beltre recalled from AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Craig Gentry goes on the DL with a fracture in his left hand.  He hasn’t exactly been tearing it up, but hasn’t been bad, either.   Always hate to see that.  It does however, open a window for Engel Beltre.   If Beltre comes up and does well, I think between that and the way Leonys Martin has been playing this year it might spell the end of David Murphy’s time here.  Murph hasn’t exactly helped himself this year, either.   We’ll see how this goes.

• P Martin Perez recalled from AAA
• P Smokin’ Joe Ortiz optioned to AAA [ Link ]

NOTES:  Martin Perez is back.  I hope he can get a handle on a starting spot in the rotation, as he was looking REALLY good in the spring before he got hurt.  If he kept going at the rate he was then, I wonder if he’d have like 10 wins by now if he had never gotten hurt.  Bring it on Martin!

• 1B Mitch Moreland activated from 15 day DL
• P Josh Lindblom optioned to AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Well, Lindblom has been “eh”, so I guess we felt we were OK with swapping a pitcher for a hitter, as that’s what happened.  Moreland is back, hopefully he can keep doing well, and the loss of momentum doesn’t affect him.

• P Smokin’ Joe Ortiz recalled from AAA
• C Robinson Chirinos recalled from AAA
• IF Jeff Baker placed on 15 day DL, retro to Jun 13
• 1B Chris McGuiness optioned to AAA [ Link ]

NOTES:  McGuinness wasn’t doing much, so he was an obvious candidate to go to AAA if someone had to go.  Jeff Baker going to the DL is unfortunate, I’ve rather liked how he’s been going.    Smokin’ Joe is back (I’m still calling him that – pbbbbt), probably due to bullpen fatigue.  I’m not entirely sure why they called up a third catcher at the moment, though.

• 2B Ian Kinsler activated off 15 day DL
• IF Leury Garcia optioned to AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Kinsler is back from his stint on the disabled list.   Given our offense has been pretty lethargic the last week or so, his arrival could help.  Assuming he doesn’t pop out 70% of the time like he usually does.