The Rangers decided that they have seen enough of Jason Botts for now. Botts played in 15 games this season for the Rangers and he was 6 for 38 (.158 avg, .699 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 2 homers and 5 RBIs. Botts also whiffed 18 times already this season which has likely led to the end of his career with the Rangers. Botts doesn’t make big money so the Rangers might be able to get something for him. The Rangers have recalled 25-year old switch hitting Brandon Boggs from AAA ball. The outfielder has played in 18 games in AAA this season and he was 21 of 68 (.309 avg, .824 OPS) with 12 runs scored and 6 RBIs.

The Rangers have placed starting 3B Hank Blalock on the 15-day disabled list with a partially torn hamstring. Blalock is 26 for 87 (.299 avg) this season with 9 runs scored, 3 homers and 7 RBIs. Ramon Vazquez and German Duran will probably split time at the hot corner while Blalock is out. Vazquez has played in 10 games this season and he is 5 for 26 (.192 avg, .631 OPS) with 4 runs scored and 1 RBI. Rookie German Duran is not off to a good start to his major league career. He has pitched in 6 games this season and he is 1 for 10 (.100 avg, .282 OPS) with 1 run scored. The Rangers have called up Chris Shelton to replace Blalock on the roster. He will likely platoon at first base with Ben Broussard. Shelton is a 27-year old righty swinger. He has played in 14 games in AAA ball this season and he was 17 for 48 (.354 avg, 1.054 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 3 homers and 18 RBIs.

The Rangers have released catcher Adam Melhuse who currently has a broken bone in his hand. He played in 8 games for the Rangers this season and he was 4 for 20 (.200 avg, .473 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. The Rangers have recalled C/1B Jarrod Saltalamacchia to replace Melhuse on the roster. Saltalamacchia has played in 15 games in AAA ball this season and he was 16 for 55 (.291 avg, .882 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers and 13 RBIs. Saltalamacchia will be the backup catcher and he will also get some playing time at first base as Ben Broussard has struggled so far this season.

The Rangers have placed righty starter Luis Mendoza on the 15-day disabled list with a inflamed right shouler. Mendoza has started 3 games this season and he is 0-2 with a 9.31 ERA and a 2.59 WHIP. Mendoza has allowed a whopping 18 hits and 7 walks in only 9.2 innings this season. The Rangers will likely call up 32-year old righty Sidney Ponson to take Mendoza’s place in the starting rotation. Ponson has pitched in 5 games (4 starts) in AAA ball this season and he is 1-2 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Ponson has now pitched in 259 games (245 starts) in his major league career and he is 82-101 with a 4.94 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Don’t expect miracles out of Ponson as he hasn’t been a good pitcher in quite some time in the majors.

The Rangers need Franklyn German and Joaquin Benoit to start throwing strikes. Both of these guys have great stuff but it won’t matter if they continue to walk batters as often as they currently are. German has pitched in 9 games this season for the Rangers and he is 0-0 with a 0.82 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. German has only allowed 6 hits in 11 innings this season but he has walked an amazing 10. His ERA will rise very soon if he can’t get the ball over the plate. Joaquin Benoit has not been near as lucky as German has. He has pitched in 9 games this season for the Rangers and he is 1-1 with a 7.56 ERA and a 2.04 WHIP. Benoit has only allowed 7 hits in 8.1 innings this season but he has also walked 10 batters. The Rangers can’t afford to let Benoit pitch late in games if he can’t get the ball over the plate.