The Texas Rangers want outfield depth for the season’s stretch run as Josh Hamilton offers with a lingering knee damage, they usually acquired some Tuesday within the type of Will Venable. Simon is 0-0 with a 5.54 ERA and four strikeouts in his career against the Rangers.
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The Rangers don’t have to add Venable to the 25-man roster until Thursday, but they cleared a 40-man spot by designating outfielder Michael Choice for assignment. Choice has struggled mightily at AAA this season, and seemed to be a likely 40 man roster casualty. 258 with six home runs and 30 RBI.
Venable, 32, was most commonly linked to the Cubs before the trade deadline but will instead join Texas after spending the first eight seasons of his career with San Diego.
Josh Hamilton’s injury appears to be managable and will not keep him from being the primary option in left field. Venable is not guaranteed to be an everyday player in Texas, but he’ll be a quality fourth outfielder. Ryan Strausborger needs to play well and really stand out, otherwise we could see him replaced by Venable.
Greene is 21 and a. 250 liftetime batting average in parts of three minor league seasons since being drafted by Texas in the 16th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of New Mexico Junior College. He hit.218/.365/.500 with five doubles and five home runs.
The Palm Springs native is now rehabbing from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
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The move is the third by the Rangers this year including former Crawdads, joining the club’s acquisition of Philadelphia Phillies ace LHP Cole Hamels in exchange for a package of players including former Hickory stars Jorge Alfaro, Nick Williams, and Jerad Eickhoff, as well as the trade of Tom Telis and Cody Ege to Miami for RHP Sam Dyson. It is also right in the thick of the wild-card race as well.
