RANGERS PURCHASE CONTRACT OF 3B JOEY GALLO, RECALL OF JAKE SMOLINSKI;
PLACE 3B ADRIAN BELTRE ON 15-DAY DISABLED LIST, OPTION LHP ALEX CLAUDIO
Smolinski added for injured Beltre
Arlington, Texas – The Texas Rangers announced prior to tonight’s game that the club has purchased the contract of third baseman Joey Gallo (#13) from Double-A Frisco and optioned left-handed pitcher Alex Claudio to Triple-A Round Rock. The club also formally placed third baseman Adrian Beltre on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to yesterday, with a sprained left thumb. To take Beltre’s place, the club has recalled outfielder Jake Smolinski from Round Rock.
Gallo, 21, is in the starting lineup for tonight’s series opener against the Chicago White Sox, looking to make his major league debut. He has spent the season with Frisco, batting .314 (38-121) with 9 home runs, 10 doubles, and 31 RBI in 34 games. All 9 home runs have come in his past 23 games beginning May 6, tied with Fresno’s Jon Singleton for most homers in the minor leagues in that span. The Rangers 2014 Tom Grieve Minor League Player of the Year, Gallo set a club minor league record with 42 home runs last season. In 2013-14, he became the first minor leaguer with back-to-back 40-homer seasons since the White Sox’ Ron Kittle in 1981-82.
Smolinski will be in his third stint with the Rangers this season, also Opening Day-May 12 and May 22-26. He has batted .151 with one home run and 6 RBI in 28 games/17 starts for the Rangers this season. He has batted .422 (19-45) with 4 home runs, 5 doubles, and 14 RBI in 12 games for Round Rock in 2015. In his most recent Triple-A game yesterday at Tacoma, he went 3-for-5 with a home run, 2 doubles, 6 RBI, and 3 runs scored.
Beltre suffered his left thumb injury while sliding into second base during the fifth inning of Sunday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. The first date he would be eligible to return is June 16. Beltre is batting .257 with 6 home runs and 18 RBI in 51 games for the Rangers this season.
Claudio posted a 1-0 record and 2.63 ERA (4 ER/13.2 IP) over 16 relief appearances since he was recalled from Round Rock on April 27, holding opponents to a .204 (10-49) average.
With today’s moves, the Rangers’ major league roster is at the 40-man limit.
– RANGERS –
