Texas Rangers: Adrian Beltre is back and Ryan Rua has been optioned

The Texas Rangers have activated Adrian Beltre from the DL. He will be tonight’s DH and will bat fourth. Ryan Rua has been optioned to Triple-A as a result.

Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre has officially been activated from the 10-day DL. I guess he should be labeled as third baseman/DH at this point. As a matter of fact, he will be the DH in tonight’s series finale against the Seattle Mariners.

Lineup Adjustments

Tonight’s lineup has been released. With the addition of Beltre, the Rangers will start out by giving Shin-Soo Choo the day off. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will play third. Adrian Beltre will certainly give the offense a boost; however, his return does complicate things a bit.

Choo will sit tonight, but how will lineups be constructed for the next game, and the game after that? Management has expressed the likelihood of limiting Beltre’s playing time, but that likely means maybe one day off per week, if that. Choo has been the team’s hottest hitter; therefore, he’ll get consistent at-bats. And when Beltre DHs the Rangers will have to play Choo in the outfield. This puts a Ranger outfielder under fire.

ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 09: Adrian Beltre #29 of the Texas Rangers leads off first base in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington on April 9, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Not to mention, Elvis Andrus is on track to return as early as June 11th. He will add to the cluster of available position players. Jeff Banister has about a week and a half to observe performances and decide how he wants to handle the Andrus return. One thing is for sure, Adrian Beltre and Elvis Andrus will play as much as they want to. Beltre’s playing time will have to be negotiated, but Texas wants and needs him in the batting order as much as reasonably possible.

Ryan Rua demoted to Triple-A

On another note, outfielder/first baseman Ryan Rua has been optioned to the minor leagues as a result of Beltre’s activation. A demotion seemed inevitable for Rua, who was hitting .167 and slugging .267 on the year.

Next: Texas Rangers Prospect Radar: Kyle Cody

The Texas Rangers have given the 28-year-old countless opportunities in the big leagues, but he has given very little reason to keep him around. With somewhat of a rebuild on the horizon and a lot of promising options in the outfield and at first base, it may be some time before we see Rua in a Rangers uniform again, if ever again. He may make September call-ups, though, it is clear his window of opportunity is close to shut.

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