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Rangers claim Rios, but trade with White Sox unlikely

The Rangers have claimed Alex Rios off trade waivers from the Chicago White Sox, though a trade is unlikely, Major League sources told MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.

The two sides had multiple discussions before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline but could not come to an agreement. The White Sox were looking for a package that included pitchers Martin Perez and Luke Jackson along with infielder Rougned Odor -- a package the Rangers did not feel comfortable parting with.

Rios, 32, hasn't quite hit a stride the way he did in 2012, when he finished with 25 homers and a .304 average, though he's picked it up as of late, raising his season average to .277 with 12 homers.

Former Rangers infielder and current Phillie Michael Young has cleared waivers. The Rangers considered trading for Young before the non-waiver Deadline, but never came close to making a deal.

Since struggling in July, the Rangers' offense has picked it up over the last week. Texas ranks third in the Majors in runs scored with 44 during August, as of Thursday.

And if the Rangers can get Lance Berkman back from the 15-day disabled list within the next week to 10 days, their lineup could certainly benefit.

Worth noting

• Michael Kirkman is scheduled to make his second rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday night. In his previous outing, the left-hander allowed two runs on seven hits in five innings, throwing 48 of his 72 pitches for strikes. He's on the disabled list with cutaneous lymphoma in his right triceps.

•Neftali Feliz will also pitch an inning for Round Rock. It'll be his third rehab appearance as he recovers from Tommy John surgery last year. He threw two scoreless innings, allowing just a hit, in his previous two appearances in the Arizona Rookie League.

• Right-handed pitcher Luke Jackson will make his first start with Double-A Frisco Thursday night at Springfield. Jackson pitched two scoreless innings in relief, collecting four strikeouts, in his Double-A debut Sunday. He's ranked No. 9 among the Rangers' top prospects.

• Infielder Ryan Rua will make his Double-A debut Thursday at Springfield batting fifth and playing third base. Double-A Frisco received Rua from Class A Hickory as the RoughRiders placed utility player Alejandro Selen on the seven-day disabled list. He entered Thursday's contest tied for the second most home runs (29) in the Minors this season. Rua leads the South Atlantic League in home runs, extra-base hits and RBIs with a .251/.356/.559 slash line.

• David Ledbetter and Alex Buchholz were named Pitcher of the Month and Player of the Month for July by the Rangers. Ledbetter, the club's third-round pick this year, is 3-1 with a 2.59 ERA in five appearances with Class A Spokane. He has 26 strikeouts against seven walks. Buchholz hit .347 with six home runs and 15 RBIs in 26 games with Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock in July.

Jason Mastrodonato is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @jmastrodonato.
Read More: Texas Rangers, Alex Rios