The Rangers have placed lefty starting pitcher Kason Gabbard on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow inflammation. Gabbard has started 12 games this season for the Rangers and he is 2-3 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. Gabbard’s main issue has been throwing strikes this season as he has walked 39 batters in only 56 innings. Gabbard will likely be replaced by Luis Mendoza in the starting rotation. The Rangers have recalled 24-year old righty reliever Warner Madrigal up from the minors to replace Gabbard on the pitching staff. He has pitched in 31 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA ball this season and he is 1-0 with 14 saves, a 3.00 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He has good stuff as evidenced by his 43 whiffs in only 36 innings this season.

The Rangers have designated 1B Chris Shelton for assignment. Shelton played in 41 games for the Rangers this season and he was 21 for 97 (.216 avg, .663 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 2 homers and 11 RBIs. The Rangers have recalled 22-year old lefty swinging 1B Chris Davis to take over as the starting 1B. Davis played in 77 games in AA+AAA ball this season and he was 99 for 297 (.333 avg, 1.029 OPS) with 68 runs scored, 23 homers, 73 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Davis has also played in 2 games for the Rangers now and he is 2 for 5 (.400 avg) with 2 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. This was a move that should have been made a while ago as Davis looks like he is the real deal.

The Rangers have placed catcher Gerald Laird on the 15-day disabled list with a pulled left hamstring. Laird has played in 51 games this season for the Rangers and he is 56 for 183 (.306 avg, .797 OPS) with 32 runs scored, 4 homers and 25 RBIs. Jarrod Saltalamacchia will be the starting catcher until Laird is ready to return to action. Saltalamacchia has played in 29 games for the Rangers this year and he is 22 for 100 (.220 avg, .695 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 3 homers and 14 RBIs. 23-year old righty swinging catcher Max Ramirez will be the new backup catcher. He has played in 67 games in AA ball this season and he is 86 for 237 (.363 avg, 1.119 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 17 homers and 50 RBIs.

The Rangers have placed righty starter/reliever Doug Mathis on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder. Mathis has pitched in 8 games (4 starts) for the Rangers this year and he is 2-1 with a 6.85 ERA and a 2.28 WHIP. The Rangers have recalled righty Luis Mendoza to replace Mathis on the roster. Mendoza has pitched in 4 games (3 starts) for the Rangers this season and he is 0-2 with 1 save, a 7.11 ERA and a 2.05 WHIP.

The Rangers have designated Robinson Tejada for assignment. Tejada pitched in 4 games (0 starts) with the Rangers this season and he was 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. The Rangers have recalled lefty starting pitcher Kason Gabbard to replace Tejada on the roster. Gabbard will move back into the rotation for the Rangers. He has started 10 games for the Rangers this season and he is 1-3 with a 4.94 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. His biggest problem has been his control as he has walked 32 batters in only 47.1 innings this season.