Third catcher on Rangers' wish list

ARLINGTON -- Major League rosters can expand up to 40 players on Sept. 1, and one of the Rangers' priorities is to add a third catcher. They just aren't sure where they will find one.

Robinson Chirinos (strained left shoulder) and Carlos Corporan (sprained left thumb) are both on the disabled list, and the Rangers aren't sure if either will be ready by the beginning of September.

"It will be a challenge for us," manager Jeff Banister admitted on Tuesday. "Both are working hard, and it would be nice to have a third option so we can pinch-hit and pinch-run, use the roster to our advantage in certain situations."

Corporan, out since July 13, has been swinging a bat and catching in the bullpen lately, but there is still some soreness. Chirinos is also experiencing soreness, according to Banister.

"They are doing as much as they can," Banister said. "We're all trying to work through those things where they can be a part of this again."

Chris Gimenez and Bobby Wilson have been sharing catching duties, and the Rangers aren't worried about that tandem continuing to do so into September. But the team would like the option of pinch-hitting for one of them late in a game and still have a third catcher on the bench in case of emergency.

The Rangers, after trading Jorge Alfaro and Tomas Telis on July 31, don't have another catcher on the 40-man roster. Patrick Cantwell and Brett Nicholas are sharing catching duties at Triple-A Round Rock but are not on the 40-man roster.

The Rangers have 39 players on the 40-man roster. The open spot will likely go to outfielder Drew Stubbs, who was signed to a Minor League contract on Monday with the possibility of also being a September callup.

Worth noting:

• Outfielder Leonys Martin will undergo surgery on Wednesday to remove a broken hamate bone in his right hand. It will be just two weeks before he can return as a potential pinch-runner, but four to six weeks before he can be a full-time player.

• The Rangers are in a stretch during which they will facing four left-handed starters in four days. They went against Randy Wolf and Matt Boyd in Detroit, have Mark Buehrle on Tuesday in Arlington and are scheduled to face David Price on Wednesday. The Rangers went into Tuesday's game having won eight straight when the opposition starts a left-hander.

• Josh Hamilton, asked if there is any improvement in his left knee: "Working on it."

• Banister, on the addition of Stubbs: "Drew is a premier defender in the outfield, can be a dynamic baserunner, a guy who can do damage against a left-handed pitcher. It was a nice sign by our organization."