The Rangers made a couple of roster moves before their opening game of the weekend against the Oakland A's. They picked up A's infielder Adam Rosales on waivers, and then optioned outfielder Engle Beltre to Triple-A Round Rock, to make room for Rosales.
Texas acquired Rosales because they wanted another versatile player on the bench. He can play all four infield positions and has appeared in eight games as an outfielder. He joins Jurickson Profar and Jeff Baker in giving the Rangers three players off the bench who can play in the infield or the outfield.
The Rangers are still awaiting word whether outfielder Nelson Cruz will receive a 50-game suspension because of his dealings with Biogenesis, the Miami wellness clinic that allegedly distributed performance-enhancing drugs to multiple players. They also do not know whether Cruz would appeal his suspension and remain active until that process is completed.
The latest word is that an announcement is coming Monday, although nothing is certain. But if Cruz is suspended and elects not to appeal, the Rangers will have to add another outfielder. It could be Beltre, who hits left-handed. Or it could be Joey Butler, a right-handed hitter who is batting .292 with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs in 94 games at Round Rock. He is hitting .320 with a .420 on-base percentage and a .532 slugging percentage against left-handers.
