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Rangers facing imminent roster decision

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Rangers will have to make a roster move before Wednesday's game to activate pitcher Joe Saunders off the disabled list. They may be reluctant to put pitcher Yu Darvish on the disabled list, but it could put them in a tight spot if they don't.

Darvish was scratched from Tuesday's start against the Twins with stiffness in his neck, forcing the Rangers to bring Scott Baker out of the bullpen to replace him. That move left Texas with six relievers. If the Rangers drop a pitcher to make room for Saunders, it would leave them with just five relievers.

The other possibility would be to send down a position player. Outfielder Daniel Robertson hasn't played since last Thursday after suffering facial damage in a collision with Alex Rios. He could be ready to play again by Wednesday.

But if the Rangers drop a position player, they would be down to three reserves going into a weekend series with the Nationals, for which there will be no designated hitter. The lack of a DH gives the Rangers an extra bench player, but manager Ron Washington would still like one more in the National League city.

"If I'm headed to the National League, I'm not going to be short on my bench," Washington said.

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger.
Read More: Texas Rangers, Yu Darvish, Joe Saunders