Rangers notes: Odor, Corporan return to lineup

Second baseman Rougned Odor returned to the starting lineup Monday after missing five games with an injured right fingernail.

Catcher Carlos Corporan, who has been out since July 13 with a left thumb sprain, will be activated off the disabled list before Tuesday’s game.

Josh Hamilton will also be activated from the DL, but his availability is a little more sketchy.

Hamilton, who has been out with left knee inflammation since August 16, is likely to be relegated to a pinch-hitting role the remainder of the season, according to Rangers general manager Jon Daniels.

“That’s where my head is right now,” Daniels said. “It’s part of the thought process with the number of outfield options we have.”

Post-season surgery is an option for Hamilton, who has had two previous surgeries on the knee. Daniels said it would be more of a clean-up operation as opposed to a major reconstruction.

Odor playing with pain

Odor was hitting .338 the past month before leaving the Aug. 25 game after the sixth inning when his right middle fingernail was nearly completely ripped off after getting caught on the seams during a throw. He played with the finger taped up and used pine tar to help grip the ball.

“Every time [I throw] it hurts, but sometimes not that much,” Odor said. “I want to keep fighting for my team and get in there.”

Gallo, three others coming

Third baseman Joey Gallo, pitchers Ross Ohlendorf and Luke Jackson, and outfielder Drew Stubbs will be called up from Triple A Round Rock with the expansion of major league rosters on Tuesday. The addition of Ohlendorf and Stubbs will require two moves to make room on the 40-man roster.

Gallo was with the team for 25 games in June. He hit five homers with 13 RBI. He hit .218 and struck out 43 times before being sent to Round Rock. He has struggled in 53 Triple A games, hitting .195 with 90 strikeouts.

“We would not call Joey up if we didn’t feel like there was added value at this time,” manager Jeff Banister said. “We feel like Joey can contribute, he can add value.”

Banister dismissed the idea that Gallo was a short-term addition for two games in San Diego, with National League rules adding more pinch-hitting.

“He played pretty well for us when he was here,” Banister said. “I understand the numbers that he’s had at Triple A. But I also know the impact on the baseball Joey can have. [His power] is a definite threat.”

Triple A promotions

To help fill spots for Round Rock, which is still trying to clinch a playoff berth, the Rangers promoted outfielder Lewis Brinson, catcher Alex Burg and infielder Drew Robinson from Double A Frisco.

Profar progressing

Jurickson Profar and Ryan Rua, among others, have been asked to consider playing in the Arizona Fall League, Daniels said.

Profar, who is on a rehab assignment with Low A Hickory, could be an option off the bench as a pinch-hitter and pinch-runner if he continues to show progress, Daniels said.

“Our goal is to use this rehab to get him ready to be an option up here, but we’ll see,” Daniels said.

Profar, who had shoulder surgery in February, is throwing from 90 feet. He’ll reach the 105-foot mark in a couple weeks, Daniels said, which is the same distance that caused setbacks the past two seasons.

“At this moment in time he feels outstanding,” he said. “We’re not anticipating any issues.

Briefly

▪ Center fielder Leonys Martin, who had surgery to repair the hamate bone in his right hand, could still be an option for the Rangers.

▪ Utility infielder Adam Rosales, who was released Aug. 19, has not been claimed by another club. The Rangers have discussed signing him again, but he wouldn’t be available until about Sept. 20 because of a 30-day window rule. “He’s one of the guys we’ve reached out to,” Daniels said. “We’d love to have him back in the organization.”

Quotable

“The last game before the All-star break was a big enough punch in the mouth that we all went into the dungeon and came back out with a fat lip and an angry attitude.” — Banister on a key moment that helped turn around the season, when the Rangers lost seven of their last eight before the break.

This story was originally published August 31, 2015 at 4:44 PM with the headline "Rangers notes: Odor, Corporan return to lineup."