Arlington, TX – The Texas Rangers activated utilityman Jeff Baker and outfielder Craig Gentry from the 15-day disabled prior to Friday's post-All Star break opener against the Baltimore Orioles.
Baker has not played since June 12 due to a sprained right thumb, while Gentry suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left hand after being hit by a pitch in a game against Oakland on June 18.
A .386 (17-for-44) hitter against left-handed pitching this season, Baker has also belted nine homers and driven in 16 runs in just 82 at-bats while starting games at five different positions (left field, first base, third base, right field, second base). The 32-year-old is coming off a three-game rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco in which he went 2-for-11.
Gentry had three hits in 13 at-bats during a four-game stint with Frisco earlier in the week, making three starts in the outfield. Prior to the injury, he was batting .216 with one homer, nine RBI and eight stolen bases in 51 contests for Texas.
To make room for the pair on the active roster, the Rangers optioned catcher/first baseman Robinson Chirinos and pitcher Wilmer Font to Triple-A Round Rock.
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