Jason Botts has been DFA’d

And Shelton is back!

The Rangers this afternoon, perhaps momentarily, will announce that Jason Botts has been designated for assignment and that Chris Shelton’s contract will be purchased. The club is desperate for another productive right-handed bat in the lineup and Botts simply hasn’t taken advantage of whatever limited opportunities he’s been given. He is hitting .158 in 38 at-bats.

The move will give the Rangers 10 days to trade, release or outright Botts to Triple-A. If he clears waivers, the Rangers absolutely want to keep him in the system, but with the season hanging on the edge of a cliff, the Rangers need somebody with a little bit of a track record of big league success against left-handers. Shelton will see time in the first-base rotation, certainly against left-handers, but it won’t surprise me if he gets some time against right-handers, too.