Soto returns to DL with strained right groin

NEW YORK -- Rangers catcher Geovany Soto was placed back on the disabled list with a strained right groin muscle on Tuesday after playing in just three games. The club activated Soto on Friday after he missed the entire first half following right knee surgery.

Putting Soto on the DL opened up a spot for pitcher Nick Martinez to start on Tuesday night against the Yankees.

"It's an unfortunate situation," Soto said. "It is what it is. It's really heartbreaking, but I'm just going to try and take it a day at a time. Some things are out of your control. The last three months, I really worked hard on my legs, doing what the trainers asked me to do and more."

Soto injured the muscle while running the bases in the sixth inning of Monday night's 4-2 win over the Yankees. He was hoping that it would be a mild strain, but when he woke up on Tuesday, Soto knew that wasn't going to be the case.

"It was definitely a little stiffer this morning," Soto said. "That's when I knew it was more serious than a tweak; there was a little strain in there."

With Soto out, Robinson Chirinos and Chris Gimenez will go back to sharing catcher duties. J.P. Arencibia is on the active roster, but the Rangers want him to concentrate on first base and hitting. Arencibia will likely catch only in an emergency.