RANGERS REINSTATE C ROBINSON CHIRINOS FROM 60-DAY DISABLED LIST;
OPTION RHP LUKE JACKSON TO ROUND ROCK
RHP Phil Klein designated for assignment
Arlington, Texas — Prior to today’s game with Houston, the Texas Rangers activated catcher Robinson Chirinos from the 60-day disabled list and optioned right-handed pitcher Luke Jackson to Triple-A Round Rock. To make room on the 40-man roster for Chirinos, the team also designated right-handed pitcher Phil Klein for assignment.
Chirinos is available for today’s series finale against Houston, seeking his first action with the Rangers since April 9 at Los Angeles-AL. He sustained a right forearm fracture when hit by a Garrett Richards pitch in the 5th inning of that game and was on the disabled list from April 10-June 8. He went 2-for-21 over 6 games on injury rehabilitation assignment with Round Rock (AAA) and Frisco (AA), also spending time at the club’s complex in Surprise, Arizona. He was 0-for-4 as catcher for Frisco in yesterday’s game at San Antonio.
The Rangers’ Opening Day catcher, he hit .267 (4-15) with a home run and 2 RBI in 5 games/starts for Texas before his disabled list stint, starting 5 of the team’s first 6 games. Today was the first date on which he was eligible to be activated.
Jackson pitched a scoreless 9th inning in last night’s loss to the Astros, and he has allowed 6 runs in 7.2 innings over 5 appearances since being recalled from Round Rock on May 16 for his first major league action in 2016. He began the year with the Express, both on major league injury rehabilitation assignment and on option, posting no record and a 3.68 ERA over 13 relief appearances.
The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release, or outright Klein to the minor leagues. He was optioned back to Round Rock on May 6 after going 0-1 with a 5.19 ERA over 8 relief appearances spanning two stints with the Rangers this season. The club’s 30th round selection in the 2011 June draft, he has compiled no record and a 4.63 ERA over 7 relief appearances with the Express in 2016.
Following today’s transactions, the Rangers’ major league roster remains at the 40-man limit.
