Rangers send down Sardinas as they wait on Choo

SEATTLE -- The Rangers, willing to wait on outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, have optioned infielder Luis Sardinas to Double-A Frisco to make room for pitcher Matt Harrison on the active roster.

Choo was out of the lineup for the fifth straight game with a sprained left ankle but is getting closer to the point where manager Ron Washington is considering using him as a pinch-hitter if needed.

"He took batting practice [Saturday] and looked pretty good," Washington said. "We're going to hang on a little longer and see where it goes. He's feeling better today. I don't know what that means. If we have to make a move when we get back to Texas, we'll make a move. Right now we'll give it a little longer. Batting is not an issue, it's going to be the running and the cutting."

Teams are allowed to put a player on the disabled list retroactively up to 10 days. Choo last played on Monday so the Rangers can wait at least through their three-game series with the Athletics before making a decision.

With Choo out, Michael Choice has been playing left field and leading off for five straight games. He went into Sunday 3-for-16 with four walks and four RBIs in the first five, including a key RBI single against Felix Hernandez on Saturday night.

"He has been holding his own and finding a way to get on base once or twice a game," manager Ron Washington said. "He might be out of his element but since he got on the field, we've only lost one game so I'm not complaining."