Overview
- The Rangers optioned infielder Josh Smith to Triple-A Round Rock and selected outfielder Jarred Kelenic’s contract after a roster announcement made on Friday, June 19.
- Manager Skip Schumaker called the demotion a difficult decision and said the club wants Smith to get regular at-bats in the minors to regain form after a rocky start this season.
- Smith missed 37 games earlier in the year with a glute strain, left wrist inflammation and a hospitalization for viral meningitis and had hit .218 with no homers and six RBIs in 34 big-league games.
- Kelenic earned the call by hitting .340/.431/.620 in 13 Triple-A games for Round Rock and made his Rangers debut on Saturday, reaching base with a single in the extra‑innings loss to San Diego.
- Texas cleared a 40-man spot by transferring Michael Helman to the 60-day injured list, a roster move that lets the team audition Kelenic for an offensive lift and lets Smith focus on recovery and development in Triple-A.