Arlington, Texas -- The Texas Rangers today announced that the club reinstated third baseman Adrian Beltre from the 10-day disabled list and optioned infielder/outfielder Drew Robinson to Triple-A Round Rock. Beltre is in tonight's starting lineup as the third baseman, batting cleanup.
Beltre, 38, will be making his season debut after opening the season on the disabled list with right calf tightness. Beltre played in extended spring training games at the club's facility in Surprise, Arizona on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, going a combined 7-for-17 in those games while playing third base. His last game with Texas was a spring training contest on March 26 vs. Los Angeles-NL. He combined to go 0-for-12 with 2 walks in Cactus League play this spring, and was also 1-for-15 with a walk and RBI over 4 games with the Dominican Republic in the 2017 World Baseball Classic in March.
Beltre entered this season with 2942 hits, 35th all-time and one behind Frank Robinson (2943). He needs 58 hits to become the third player in major league history to reach 3000 career hits while playing primarily at third base, a list that currently features only Hall of Famers George Brett (3154) and Wade Boggs (3010). Beltre also ranks 41st all-time with 445 home runs.
Beltre opened the season on the disabled list with a right calf injury and then endured extra soreness after a workout on April 8. The club announced MRI results on April 11, which found a mild grade 1 strain in his right calf, a different area of the calf than the injury that caused his season-opening disabled list stint. Beltre missed Opening Day for just the second time in his career (also 2001).
Robinson was recalled yesterday when Dario Alvarez was placed on the disabled list, and he now has two stints with Texas this season (April 2-5, May 28). Robinson did not appear in yesterday's contest and his lone major league game remains his debut on April 5 vs. Cleveland. He has batted .264 with one home run and 11 RBI in 38 games at Round Rock.