PCL1 Round Rock Express

Rangers Place Pair on DL

Published on August 30, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


Arlington, Texas - The Texas Rangers announced today that the club has made the following roster moves:

- Placed outfielder Nelson Cruz on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to yesterday, with a left hamstring strain.

- Placed right-handed pitcher Darren O'Day on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Thursday, with right shoulder inflammation.

- Recalled outfielder Leonys Martin (#27 - pronounced lay-OH-niece mar-TEEN) from Triple-A Round Rock.

- Purchased contract of right-handed pitcher Mark Hamburger (#58) from Triple-A Round Rock.

- Released right-handed pitcher Ryan Tucker.

Cruz sustained his hamstring injury during a 6th-inning double in Sunday's game and was lifted for a pinch-runner. The first date he would be eligible to return to the active roster is September 13. He has batted .270 with a team-high 28 home runs and 84 RBI in 113 games for Texas this season. He ranks among American League leaders in home runs (T5th, 28), slugging (7th, .531), and RBI (T9th, 84). Cruz's .342 average with runners in scoring position ranks 6th in the league. This is his second disabled list stint in 2011 and fifth in the past two seasons, all with leg injuries, including four hamstring-related stints.

O'Day was recalled on Wednesday for his third stint with the club and has one appearance since rejoining the Rangers (Wed. vs. Boston). The first date he would be eligible to return is September 9. He was also with the club from Opening Day-July 13 and Aug. 6-9. He spent over two months on the disabled list from April 27-July 1 for surgery to repair a partial tear of the labrum in his left hip. O'Day has gone 0-1 with a 5.93 ERA (9 ER/13.2 IP) in 13 relief appearances for Texas this season.

Martin, 23, was officially signed by Texas to a five-year major league contract on May 4 and is seeking to make his major league debut. He has combined to hit .295 (89-302) with 4 home runs, 16 doubles, 5 triples, and 42 RBI in 73 games with the Arizona League Rangers, Frisco (AA), and Round Rock (AAA). This year marks his first professional action. He played for Cuba's national team in Japan during the FISU World University Championships in July and August 2010, defecting from his home country at some point after that tournament. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound outfielder is a left-handed batter and throws right-handed. He played for Cuba in several world events, including tournaments in Japan and The Netherlands. Martin was a career .314 (417-1329) hitter over five seasons with Villa Clara in the Cuban League.

Hamburger, 24, is also seeking to make his big league debut. He has combined to go 8-4 with a 3.39 ERA (31 ER/82.1 IP) in 42 games/4 starts for Frisco (AA) and Round Rock (AAA) this season, allowing 25 walks against just 70 strikeouts with a 1.093 WHIP figure. Over his last 11 outings (4 starts) at Triple-A beginning July 18, Hamburger has a 0.94 ERA (3 ER/28.2 IP) with 5 walks, 22 strikeouts, and a .176 (18-102) opponents average. He was acquired from Minnesota in an August 25, 2008 trade for Eddie Guardado.

Tucker was with the Rangers from April 27-May 17 this season, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) in 5 relief appearances and 5.0 innings. He has spent the rest of the season with Triple-A Round Rock, going 3-5 with a 5.40 ERA (41 ER/68.1 IP) in 29 games/8 starts. He was acquired from Florida on a waiver claim on October 6, 2010.

With these moves, the Rangers still have a full 40-man roster.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 30, 2011


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