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Martin day to day after aggravating wrist issue

ARLINGTON -- Center fielder Leonys Martin was out of the lineup on Tuesday after aggravating a sprained left wrist. The injury comes at a time when the Rangers are close to making a roster move.

The injury occurred during Monday's 8-2 win over the Royals when Martin was jammed by a pitch. Martin finished the game, but he was too sore on Tuesday to be in the lineup, although he underwent an MRI that showed no fractures or other structural damage.

Martin sustained a sprained left wrist last Monday in Houston and missed four games before returning on Saturday. He entered Tuesday's 7-6 loss in 10 innings as a pinch-runner for designated hitter Kyle Blanks in the seventh. Martin did not bat, as he was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the ninth.

Delino DeShields was in center field on Tuesday and Martin is officially listed as day to day. But the Rangers are expected to make a roster move on Wednesday with Mitch Moreland ready to come off the disabled list. Moreland, who underwent minor elbow surgery on April 29, was scheduled to play in his fourth game with Triple-A Round Rock on medical rehabilitation assignment.

"All indications are he has been going good," Texas manager Jeff Banister said. "He is getting his at-bats and feeling good. I expect he'll be back tomorrow."

Josh Hamilton was scheduled to play his third game with Round Rock on Tuesday. But he is still recovering from offseason shoulder and missed all of Spring Training with the Angels. The Rangers, who acquired Hamilton in a trade on April 27, don't expect him to be ready before the end of the homestand that ends on Sunday.

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger and listen to his podcast.
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