After dealing Gimenez, Rangers option Nicholas

May 4th, 2016

TORONTO -- The Rangers continued their roster shuffle prior to Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays to make room for newly acquired catcher Bobby Wilson.
Wilson, who was acquired from Detroit for left-hander Chad Bell on Tuesday, was placed on the 25-man roster in time to start against Toronto.
The Rangers optioned Brett Nicholas to Triple-A Round Rock to make room for Wilson on the active roster. Earlier in the day, the Rangers traded catcher Chris Gimenez to the Indians for cash considerations.
Wilson played in five games for Detroit this season and was 2-for-13 with two RBIs. The 33-year-old has familiarity with the Rangers' pitching staff, having played 31 games with Texas in 2015 and spending a majority of Spring Training with the team before being dealt to the Tigers on March 29.
"Of all the places where I've been, this is one of the places where I've felt most comfortable," Wilson said. "Already familiar with the pitching staff and knowing the guys, it makes the transition easier."
Nicholas, 27, was off to a hot start with the Rangers, hitting .257 with a team-leading .876 OPS and two home runs. The Phoenix native was caught in a numbers game with Wilson and Bryan Holaday already on the big league roster, but he drew praise from his manager for how he handed the pitching staff.
"It was a tough decision to option him down," manager Jeff Banister said. "If I were going to look into the future, I'd definitely say we see Brett Nicholas back up here."
As for Gimenez, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels hinted on Tuesday that there was outside interest in the seven-year veteran and that he would try to find a situation that was best for the 33-year-old.
This marks the third stop for Gimenez in the Indians' organization. The veteran hit .255 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in 36 games for the Rangers last season. Gimenez was activated from the 15-day disabled list and then designated for assignment on Tuesday to make room on the 40-man roster for Wilson.
Worth noting
• An X-ray on catcher Robinson Chirinos' injured right forearm showed positive signs of healing. The 31-year-old is expected to start light resistance exercises on his forearm, biceps and triceps with another X-ray scheduled in three weeks. Chirinos had surgery on his right forearm after getting hit by a pitch in early April and was hitting .267 with a home run on the season.
• Daniels gave an update on former top prospect Jurickson Profar, who is playing at Triple-A Round Rock. Daniels said Profar "has his smile back" and has "zero restrictions" on the medical side at this time. The 23-year-old has had a history of shoulder injuries and last played in a big league game in 2013.
Daniels said that although Profar has played all of his games this season at shortstop, it is a possibility that he could see time elsewhere later in the season. Profar has hit .286 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 23 games at Round Rock and has played shortstop, second base, third base and outfield in his past stints with the Rangers.