ARLINGTON, Texas _ Third baseman Adrian Beltre was activated from the 10-day disabled list Monday by the Texas Rangers and was in the lineup for the first time this season.
Beltre played Thursday through Saturday at extended spring training as the final test for his strained right calf. The Rangers took a cautious approach with him before the game, allowing him to go through his normal routine and making sure all was well, before putting him on the active roster.
The goal now is to keep him on the active roster.
"The optimum mind-set is find a way that's best to keep him on the field for the long haul and not just the short term," manager Jeff Banister said. "And that means that there are going to be some days down, there's going to be some days he DHs."
To make room for Beltre, the Rangers optioned Drew Robinson to Triple-A Round Rock. Joey Gallo, who has filled in at third base since Opening Day, started at first base and is likely to play there, at third baseman when Beltre gets a DH day or day off, and in left field.
Beltre spent much of the spring dealing with calf issues. He reported to spring training with a strained left calf but was healthy enough to play three weeks later in the World Baseball Classic.
He strained his right calf entering the final week of camp and opened the season on the DL. He was expected to be activated for the fifth game, but a new strain in the same calf bit him.
Beltre was finally well enough to ramp up baseball activities during the last homestand, and the Rangers sent him to extended spring training Wednesday.
Gallo filled in more than adequately for the future Hall of Famer, who his 58 hits shy of 3,000. Gallo entered Monday as the team leader with 15 home runs and a .525 slugging percentage, and was tied for the team lead with 32 RBIs.
The Rangers are comfortable enough to put Gallo in left field or at first base after watching him play there in spring training.
"He came into spring training with the idea of being part of that left-field mix," Banister said. "He also has the ability to play first base, so I would think that there's a pretty good chance that he plays all three."
