ARLINGTON, Texas _ Mike Napoli is the latest Rangers veteran to head to the disabled list.
The struggling Rangers first baseman, hitting just .192 for the season, has a back strain that will likely keep him out about a week, but with upcoming interleague games this weekend, the Rangers want a roster at full strength. Napoli was held out of the lineup on Sunday because of the issue and did not report significant progress. The DL placement was retroactive to Sunday, meaning Napoli would be eligible to return June 14 for the Rangers' final game of a three-game series at Houston.
The Rangers activated LHP Dario Alvarez from the DL to replace Napoli for the time being. Alvarez had been out since May 28 with a strained left elbow.
Napoli, 35, is the third Rangers' position player over the age of 30 to spend time on the disabled list. The only one to avoid it: outfielder/DH Shin-Soo Choo, who had three tours of the DL last year. Adrian Beltre, 38, missed the first six weeks of the season with a calf strain. Carlos Gomez, 31, is currently on the DL with a hamstring strain.
On the pitching side, starter Cole Hamels, 33, has been on the DL for a month with an oblique strain. He started throwing off a mound on Sunday, but is not expected back until July.
