The Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics go head-to-head today in Arlington but the Rangers will be without second baseman Ian Kinsler who landed on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain on Thursday.  The move is retroactive to Wednesday and came just a day after Kinsler sat out Wednesday’s game against the A’s, which the Rangers lost 3-1.

Kinsler is batting a .298 average with 6 homeruns and 38 runs batted in.  He started off the season on the disabled list due to a high ankle sprain, which resulted in Kinsler missing out on the first 22 regular season games this year.  As for Kinsler’s current injury, it hasn’t proven to be series; however, the Rangers want him in proper shape and be ready and able to give 100% for the postseason.  

To take Kinsler’s place with Texas, the Rangers called up Mitch Moreland, a first baseman, AAA Oklahoma City for the series finale game against the Athletics.  Moreland is currently batting a .289 average with 12 homers and 65 runs batted in this season for the Redhawks.  Moreland was a 17th round draft pick out of the 2007 MLB Draft.

In order to make room on the 40-man roster for Moreland, the Rangers moved newly acquired reliever Mark Lowe, who was acquired from Seattle and was part of the Cliff Lee trade, to the 60-day disabled list.

With Kinsler on the DL, although it doesn’t seem to be a serious injury, it may inspire the Rangers to make some moves in regards to their active roster with the Saturday trade deadline approaching rapidly.

Going into the series finale Thursday with the Oakland Athletics, the Texas Rangers currently hold a 7.5 game lead in the American League West division.

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